'Palace's biggest challenge is internal'
Like Nottingham Forest versus Manchester City, Crystal Palace against Aston Villa is an FA Cup semi-final of contrasting styles.Palace do not necessarily keep a lot of possession, but they have got the ability to attack at high speed.The Eagles' supporters - and Villa's - do not get the chance to travel to Wembley all the time for big cup matches, so it will be a a huge occasion for both clubs.Up until two or three weeks ago, Palace looked like one of the most solid teams in the Premier League.All of a sudden, they get hit for five - two weeks in a row.So, that has not only cast doubt over how we perceive them from the outside, but there will be players in the team who probably are not as comfortable as they were a fortnight ago. Maybe there are hints of doubt.It is really tough to call, but it might be one of those games dictated by that first goal, because the two styles of play are not that similar.However, the desire and the drive to try to win that game to get in the final is going to be enormous.Palace beat Villa comfortably 4-1 at home in February so they will have a belief that they can go and do it again.They will not fear Unai Emery's side. The biggest challenge is internal because they have never won a major trophy.It is such a big occasion and I think that makes it a really interesting game.Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool transfer could open door to hand Jack Grealish move joining old rival
Jack Grealish is looking for a way out of Manchester City and Liverpool's pursuit of Florian Wirtz could see Bayer Leverkusen come knocking for the former Aston Villa man - and a somewhat unholy union with ex-Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag Bayer Leverkusen could go after Jack Grealish as they eye a replacement for Florian Wirtz - who is closing in on a British-record move to Liverpool this summer. The German side are in negotiations with the Reds and have rejected several bids, but the Premier League champions have returned with a fresh offer that is closer to Leverkusen's £126million valuation. Leverkusen have already seen Jeremie Frimpong leave for Anfiel d and, if and when Wirtz leaves, it will result in new manager Erik ten Hag having a huge pot to re-invest in his squad. Grealish has been identified as the kind of creative influence who can fill the void left by Wirtz. The 29-year-old has fallen well down the pecking order at Manchester City and there is an acceptance from all parties that a move elsewhere is best. Grealish has been hugely influential in the past and Leverkusen may believe they can get him back to that level. Ten Hag himself is known to be an admirer, reports The Sun, and those close to the player believe he is keen on a move overseas as he looks to revive his career. Tottenham, Newcastle, and former club Aston Villa are all among those who are also reportedly interested in the player, who cost £100million back in 2021. Italian champions Napoli have been linked with the attacking midfielder. City are prepared to take a massive loss on their record signing but are still wanting around £40m before they consider letting him depart. A loan move has also been touted but with Grealish earning £300,000-a-week his salary could prove an issue for any potential suitor. Pep Guardiola has admitted that Grealish needs regular minutes despite using him so sporadically. He said: 'Of course, Jack has to play. He's an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days. It didn't happen this season and last season either. He needs to do it, with us or another place. Guardiola also added: 'It's nothing personal with Jack. I'm the person who fought for him to come here and the person who fought for him to stay here this season." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Thomas Tuchel urges England to play with a smile against Senegal as boss insists his side CAN compete with the best despite grim Andorra display
Thomas Tuchel has asked his England players to play with a smile on their face in Tuesday's friendly against Senegal in Nottingham and lift the gloom caused by the weekend's grim victory against minnow Andorra. Just a year away from the start of the World Cup in America, Tuchel's England are struggling under the weight of familiar problems with some players failing to bring their club form to the international stage. Tuchel insists that England should 'absolutely not' have any kind of inferiority complex after seeing heavyweights Portugal, Spain and France play out thrilling Nations League matches in recent days. But the England head coach also said: 'I see the structure in our game, I see the control, I see the amount of passes. 'But we can do better. We can be more fluid. We can be more exciting which since a longer time I feel has been a bit of a problem. 'I feel we are a bit stuck. I see us train with a smile but not play with a smile.'It's difficult to prescribe freedom, to say 'play with freedom' and suddenly everyone plays with freedom. Crystal Palace' FA Cup hero Eberechi Eze is expected to be handed a start at the City Ground 'I think we need to get the balance right. We need to get the organisation right, and we need to get the players right together — that they just feel it naturally and that it's easy, that it comes easy for them to connect. We haven't done that yet.' England are top of their World Cup qualifying group after three clean sheet wins against Latvia, Albania and now Andorra. But the national team's football has been on a wane for too long with suggestions once again that the England shirt is starting to way heavily once again on too many. 'Yeah, I know what you're saying,' Tuchel added. 'I heard it many times, but what does it mean? 'Like a heavy shirt? Do we expect too much? Don't we feel the freedom? Do we not feel the same freedom to express ourselves that we feel like in the clubs? 'Does Phil [Foden] feel free in his club? Is he really free in his club to express himself? Since many months, he struggles also there. 'So maybe it's also a normal thing that's a bit of up and down. The normal season in football is not there anymore. There's no more preparation time, there's so many competitions, so it's not easy. 'I do feel we need to increase the rhythm and find the right players that can play together.' Tuchel will make a host of changes at the City Ground with players such as Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson and Forest's own Morgan Gibbs-White expected to feature. There is, though, unlikely to be a start for reserve striker Ivan Toney with captain Harry Kane likely to retain his place. Tuchel's squad watched Sunday's Nations League final — won by Portugal on penalties against Spain in Munich — together at their St George's Park base. But the 51-year-old wants his players to keep their belief high. 'Our level would increase immediately once we were in Munich at the stadium and playing against Portugal or Spain,' Tuchel said. 'We would rise to the occasion. This will come. It will bring out the very best in us. 'We shall not develop a complex because there is no need for it. Spain qualified for the final four with a very lucky win over the Netherlands. Everyone is beatable. 'Do we have all the answers at the moment? No. But also it's not necessary to have all the answers now. 'We're figuring it out, we're taking everything into account. I think the best way to do it is to keep going and encourage everybody. We will try some stuff in this game and once we feel that we have it, we will get going.'
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Thomas Tuchel explains why Club World Cup will give Liverpool and Arsenal huge advantage next season
Thomas Tuchel believes the Club World Cup will give Liverpool and Arsenal a major benefit in next season's title race as he argued it will come at a considerable cost to Chelsea and Manchester City. Reigning champions Liverpool and runners-up Arsenal have a summer off while the two Premier League spots in the expanded competition have gone to the 2021 and 2023 Champions League winners. England manager Tuchel expects the fatigue from the month-long tournament in the United States to have a knock-on effect next season and believes there will be consequences for him, though he is trying not to worry about them right now. But the former Chelsea manager can see how it will make a difference in club competitions as either or both of his old club and Pep Guardiola's team could be playing in a final in New York on 13 July. 'I think it will have a huge impact and it will give Liverpool and Arsenal a huge advantage in the next season to not be there,' he said. 'I think it will be a very nice experience for the players who are there to play this tournament for the first time so it is mixed feelings about it. I decided not to worry too much because why should I? It is a given and no one knows what will be the outcome of it or the effect. We will deal with the effect when the effect comes. We have a lot of teams in Champions League next season and European football and let's see.' Tuchel's England squad to face Senegal on Tuesday includes four Chelsea players who will head to the Club World Cup as well as Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and the Real Madrid duo of Jude Bellingham and new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold. But he said none have told him they want to sit out the friendly with Senegal in Nottingham. He added: 'There is not one player who says, 'by the way, I would like to be on the bench and save myself for the Club World Cup' so they are hungry to play.' Tuchel is considering whether to start one of his back-up goalkeepers against Senegal. James Trafford is uncapped and Dean Henderson has only made two senior international appearances after he chose to pick the regular Jordan Pickford against the minnows of Andorra on Saturday. 'Jordan is, in the moment, in front,' he explained. 'We chose a very, very serious line-up against Andorra to also not give the signal that we are preparing something or trying something. There was no doubt we could have played with Trafford or Dean Henderson in goal against Andorra but Jordan is, in the moment, slightly ahead. He will do everything to stay ahead and the others, hopefully, to do everything to challenge him but tomorrow could be a time to give some minutes to Dean or Trafford.'
