Alan Pardew: Yohan Cabaye is going to be Crystal Palace's Cesc Fabregas

Great expectations: Cabaye is the Eagles' record signing
Sam Long7 August 2015

Alan Pardew believes that new signing Yohan Cabaye can become Crystal Palace's very own Cesc Fabregas next season.

The France international sealed a £10m move to Selhurst Park earlier in the summer and his arrival has been hailed as a coup by the south Londoners, and beyond.

Cabaye was courted by some of the Premier League's biggest clubs during his previous spell on these shores with Newcastle United, but eventually moved to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.

A return to his homeland was not successful but Pardew believes that the 29-year-old has the capacity to make as big an impact at Palace as Fabregas enjoyed at Stamford Bridge.

"I like to think he’s going to be our [Cesc] Fabregas - someone who unlocks the door in a tight game; someone who knows when to attack, when to keep the ball," Pardew told the Telegraph.

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Fabregas recorded 18 assists in the top flight last season - a league high - and also scored three goals as Jose Mourinho's side marched to the title.

The Spaniard's arrival was widely seen as a crucial factor in the Blues' success and Pardew has drawn comparisons between Fabregas' style and the footballing intelligence that Cabaye possesses.

“I watch Fabregas and, at times, Chelsea are, say, leading 2-0 and he has the chance to pass and bisect the centre-half and full-back and instead he will keep it. He knows that the better option is to win the game. To keep the ball.

"Cabaye has that intelligence and game management as well. Yohan won’t be my captain here but he will be the player I talk to most during the games and at half-time. He can sense it on the pitch for me," he explained.

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Jason Puncheon led the way for Palace in regards to assists with a respectable total of seven last season but the Englishman will face competition in the creativity stakes from Cabyae who, if he can make as significant an impact as Pardew hopes, could become a driving force in the Eagles' midfield as they bid to record a second successive top 10 finish.

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