Although the 2015/16 campaign has certainly turned out a relatively successful one for Crystal Palace thus far, Alan Pardew’s determined Eagles arguably need to land themselves a striker this January in order to maintain their current place among the Premier League table.

Yannick Bolasie’s latest injury has most definitely destabilised Palace out on the pitch in recent weeks, and although some fans expected Connor Wickham to begin some promising form down at Selhurst Park this season, such an outcome is invariably yet to take place for the English centre-forward.

So then, with Emmanuel Adebayor recently seeing his name linked with a possible move to South London this January – must Crystal Palace look to land the former Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham striker, or is this particular deal one that would be best avoided by Alan Pardew when all is said and done?

Well, although Emmanuel Adebayor certainly fails to arrive without his fair share of critics on board, this is a player who seemingly knows what it takes to score goals among the English top-flight. He fails to represent the most consistent option out there by any stretch of the imagination, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the former Togo international couldn’t make a success of himself down at Selhurst Park.

On his day, Adebayor can prove a powerful centre-forward who isn’t easily knocked off the ball. He may not be able to display the quickest range of movement from a striker in the modern era – yet at only 31-years-of-age – the former Arsenal and Spurs target-man still has enough years left in him to say the very least.

When it comes to finding the back of the net in impressive style, dominating defences with his aggressive approach inside the final third, and linking up effectively with his teammates in and around the opposition’s penalty box – this is a player who has often done the business with rather effective results.

Yes, Crystal Palace could arguably land themselves a more reliable option before the close of the window, and Emmanuel Adebayor certainly wouldn’t go down as a signing for the future at Crystal Palace with all things considered – but as the ex-Gunners favourite is nonetheless available on a free transfer this season – Alan Pardew could most definitely find himself with worse options on his hands in 2015/16.

However, and when it comes to matters involving Emmanuel Adebayor, the word ‘however’ usually crops up one way or another – it remains to be seen whether or not the Togolese hitman still has the desire to make it among the English top-flight these days, rather than merely representing a has-been journey-man looking for one last pay day within the Premier League.

For every promising reason for Crystal Palace to sign Adebayor at Selhurst Park this winter, there is seemingly plenty counteracting arguments in place to discredit such a notion…

The one time Real Madrid loanee proved a fantastic addition with the Gunners when he first joined up with Arsene Wenger’s squad in 2006 – but since a subsequent big money move to Manchester City and a following switch to Tottenham Hotspur – the towering centre-forward has admittedly looked more and more off the pace with every passing season.

Emmanuel Adebayor would likely score a handful of goals for Crystal Palace initially, which would in-fact endear his presence among the Selhurst Park faithful somewhat at first. Yet seeing as Alan Pardew is trying to build a squad for the future without wanting to waste much-needed resources on former stars of yesteryear – maybe this is a move that should be avoided at all costs.

The former Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham man arguably fails to symbolize a reliable asset who can be counted upon right in the here and now.

So then, unless the Eagles are desperate to land Adebayor on an extremely short term deal until the end of the season perhaps, Crystal Palace should potentially look to cast their attention elsewhere this January, with a striker operating with something to prove much higher up on their agenda…