Sakho’s time to shine

Super Sakho

Mamadou Sakho joined Crystal Palace on loan in January with a cloud hanging over him. He had failed a drugs test back in April and was discarded by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on grounds of his attitude and time-keeping.

Whether down to Sakho’s desire to prove himself, Sam Allardyce’s good man management or a combination of the two, the centre-back has been outstanding. Palace had won the same number of games in 25 matches without Sakho, five, as they have in six games with him.

This recent run includes four clean sheets plus a heroic defensive display at Chelsea, even if fortune and Wayne Hennessey helped them at Stamford Bridge.

Injuries to James Tomkins and later Scott Dann have meant that the 27-year-old has not had a consistent centre-back partner. The latest was Martin Kelly, a full-back by trade, who equally shone with some important interventions in Monday’s 3-0 win over Arsenal.

It is unsurprising that Palace are looking to sign Sakho permanently this summer. Selhurst Park, rather than Anfield, could be the ground at which he establishes himself as one of the best centre-backs in England.