Former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh is playing for his Eagles future according to manager Alan Pardew.
Pardew is of the belief that his striker needs to show his worth between now and the end of the season or he might well have to offload the Moroccan.
Chamakh’s contract is running down, with its expiry coming in June of this year – and after another disrupted season due to injuries, a renewal currently looks unlikely.
The 31-year-old has made the odd appearance since December, but with added competition since the arrival of Emmanuel Adebayor, his playing time looks like continuing in a limited manner.
Speaking to the Croydon Advertiser, Pardew said:
We have seen some signs of him sort of finding his feet again (in training). Remember, he has missed a lot of football and I’ve had to maybe accelerate him into the group again too early and had to use him.
He probably hasn’t done as well as he would have liked in those cameo roles, but really and truly it has probably been a bit too early for him. I was under pressure with the injuries, but he is starting to look like his old self.
His contract is up in the summer and it’s a big period for him to do well.
Whether Chamakh will get his opportunity to even earn a new contract or not remains to be seen, but as it stands his future at Selhurst Park looks unclear.
As we move towards the business end of the season, Pardew may be less willing to rotate and play his fringe players.
