Crystal Palace and player pathways: What will be the club's strategy next season?

New York Times

a day ago

Crystal Palace remain hopeful of a positive resolution to their discussions with UEFA over entry to the Europa League next season, but uncertainty is leaving decisions on hold.
The main decisions are led by budget, knowledge of what size the squad will need to be, and whether certain players will still be keen to play for Palace if they are denied entry to European competition.
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But there are also calls to be made on players on the fringes of the first team. Palace must decide what is best for them and for the club; whether to keep them and offer a chance to push for a place in the squad until January, or to find loans for them to secure regular game time.
Until Palace's European future is resolved, some of those calls cannot be made. Those members of Palace's squad who have not been involved in international fixtures over the summer return for pre-season testing next week, and manager Oliver Glasner is keen to assess the younger players on the cusp of a first-team breakthrough over the first two weeks of preparation.
They will also likely be part of the group that goes away for a training camp. Glasner was eager to avoid a repeat of the perceived mistakes of last summer and what might be seen as prioritising a commercial tour over the preparation of his players, and he has had his wishes granted.
The manager is not especially eager to work with a large squad, but if they do gain entry to the Europa League, the group will need to withstand at least an extra eight games, meaning more players are likely to be required.
That leaves a question over whether the club pursues new signings and loans fringe players out, or chooses to use them around the first-team setup.
Palace should complete the signing of PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez after the Argentinian underwent a medical last week, and with Remi Matthews having signed a new contract, young goalkeeper Owen Goodman is expected to join League One side Huddersfield Town after his successful loan with AFC Wimbledon in League Two. Joe Whitworth, who impressed in goal with Exeter City, is likely to depart on loan, too.
But it is an easier call with goalkeepers than outfield players.
They have a handful of young attacking options who may benefit from regular minutes elsewhere. Matheus Franca has struggled with injury since arriving from Flamengo in August 2023 and his situation is fluid, with Palace initially believing he would be required in the first team. Yet that could change if the right move opens up for the 21-year-old Brazilian.
There are other options in that position, most notably Romain Esse, who, despite being substituted having come off the bench in Palace's 1-1 final-day draw with Liverpool with no signs of injury, seems more likely to stay than Franca. The 20-year-old joined from Millwall in January.
Asher Agbinone is well thought of and hopes to make an impression in pre-season, but a loan is more likely for him, the 19-year-old having played six times for League Two side Gillingham in a similar arrangement over the second half of last season. He has interest from teams in League Two.
Hindolo Mustapha, another No 10 who won the under-21 player of the year award last season and was close to making the first-team squad on several occasions, is wanted by Portsmouth and Wycombe Wanderers on loan.
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Defensively, Palace will not make a decision on the immediate future of Caleb Kporha until they know whether they will be competing in the Europa League. The right wing-back could remain at the club as cover for Daniel Munoz, with Joel Ward having left at the end of the season. Nathaniel Clyne's contract extension does, though, give more freedom for Palace to loan Kporha out.
The performances of Justin Devenny in midfield, playing 28 times in all competitions and accumulating 611 minutes of game time, mean the Northern Ireland international will surely be part of the first-team squad once again. The 21-year-old's emergence shows that while loans can be beneficial, it is a call best made on an individual basis.
Some players, including Danny Imray, Tayo Adaramola and Franco Umeh, are entering the final year of their contracts. So, rather more worryingly, is Mustapha. That has the potential to complicate their situations, with Palace historically tending to prefer new deals to be signed before loaning players out.
Palace have not always made successful decisions on loans. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi's development was hindered by a season spent mostly on the bench in the 2023-24 season. He is available for transfer this summer should a suitable offer be made, having spent last term at Sheffield United.
The uncertainty around UEFA's decision does have an impact, but that barrier should be removed by the end of June. Then it will be up to Palace to source appropriate moves, ensuring they are a sensible fit for the players.
For those who might stand a chance of breaking through, the final decision would appear to rest with Glasner, although there will be consultation. Players will want to be shown evidence of a pathway into the first team.
It is a difficult balance to strike, but making the right call has the potential to elevate talent into first-team contention. For the players, it could make or break their careers. The key is to make more right calls and adjust accordingly. That would make the academy more attractive to potential signings and be in everyone's long-term interests.
(Top photos: Getty Images)