Alan Pardew is hoping to leave South Africa with more than just boosted squad morale and fitness levels later this month.
The Crystal Palace manager has informed scouts to go out and find the best local talent in South Africa as the first-team take part in the Cape Town Cup, alongside Sporting Lisbon, Supersport United and Ajax Cape Town.
Pardew believes that bringing some of South Africa’s best young talents back to Selhurst Park with him would be great for the club and the development of African football.
“Well It’ll probably be unfair on our hosts to take their best players. You know if there’s an opportunity that a player really catches the eye then for sure we’d be interested because South African football is good for us if we got the right player. So everybody will be content if we can found a player that worked for us.”
However, Pardew admits the main aim of their exploits in South Africa is to raise fitness levels amongst the group, including new signing Yohan Cabaye.
“The most important thing is the team plays well, it’s good. And then hopefully we bring some entertainment to South Africa as well.”
“It’s very close to our season and these are very important games for us, so we’ll bring Cabaye, Puncheon, Glen Murray. You know our best players for sure.”
