Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis is plotting an audacious loan move for Chelesea's out-of-favour Demba Ba this month, according to the Mirror. The Eagles boss is desperate for reinforcements up front and has maintained an interest in Ba since his days as manager of Stoke City. The Senegal striker came close to joining Pulis at the Potters in 2011 but failed his medical and ended up at West Ham instead. His stay with the Hammers was short-lived and he moved on to Newcastle after less than six months, scoring 21 league goals for the Magpies before joining Chelsea last January. But Ba has found life difficult in west London and has made just eight Premier League appearances under Jose Mourinho this season, the majority as a substitute. With Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto'o both above the 28-year-old in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, a loan move, and the opportunity for more regular football, could appeal. Palace are short on firepower at present with their top goalscorer last season Glenn Murray out with a long-term knee injury. In other news, the Eagles are also hoping to make Jason Puncheon's loan move from Southampton permanent as they look to free up a loan space for other reinforcements this month.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
