Eze and Guehi to start for Palace in Conference League playoff, says Glasner
Forward Eze is wanted by Tottenham Hotspur while fellow England international Guehi has attracted strong interest from Premier League champions Liverpool.
Both played in Palace's 0-0 draw at Chelsea in their opening Premier League game and manager Oliver Glasner has no qualms about playing them against Norway's Fredrikstad on Thursday.
Eze scored the winner against Manchester City in the FA Cup final to seal Palace's first venture into Europe, albeit in the Conference League rather than the Europa League, and remains a popular figure in the dressing room and with the fans.
"The player gives 100 per cent because he is under contract. We don't have to say thank you every day, he is getting a few pounds every week," Glasner told reporters on Wednesday.
"Many of you were surprised he and Marc (Guehi) started against Chelsea, you may be surprised they start tomorrow, but they are committed to the team.
"They will play a crucial part for as long as they are here they are committed to the team. If they leave, they want to leave as the guys who gave 100 per cent to Crystal Palace."
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson also praised the attitude of his two teammates.
"Great lads. They are still committed and professional. It showed in the Chelsea game. Both of them were phenomenal in that game," Henderson said. "They will stay committed throughout and be there to help the team. They are part of us at the minute and we will keep enjoying it."
Palace's inaugural European campaign has been somewhat overshadowed after UEFA demoted them to the Conference League because of a breach of multi-club ownership rules.
An appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport was dismissed last week, meaning the decision to promote Nottingham Forest to the Europa League was upheld.
Glasner says Palace deserved to be in the Europa League, but that they will embrace Europe's third-tier club tournament.
"It is the first time Euro football will be played at Selhurst (Park), this is our reward for winning the FA Cup and we will enjoy it," he said. "Many fans did not expect us to play European football, so this is our approach."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
18 minutes ago
- CNA
Australia all-rounder Green eyes Shield to warm up bowling arm before Ashes
MELBOURNE :All-rounder Cameron Green says he will be ready to return to bowling during the domestic Sheffield Shield in a boost for Australia before hosting England in the Ashes. Green has been restricted to batting since returning from a long layoff following back surgery but has been gradually building up his bowling load in training. Australia play India in a white-ball series in October and November but Green may opt for a block of red-ball cricket for Western Australia to ramp up his bowling before the Ashes. "In the past, it's worked really well when I've focused on Shield cricket," Green told reporters in Mackay on Thursday. "That potentially might be the way to go, especially with working my way back to bowling, to potentially get a few more overs over a few more days." Australia will be wary of over-bowling Green, who missed the entire home test series against India after opting for surgery on a fracture in his lumbar spine. But if fit and firing he would be a huge asset in Australia's bid to retain the urn against England. Green has 18 wickets in eight matches against England at an average of 24.44, compared to a career average of 35.31. More recently, it has been his contributions with the bat that have proved valuable for Australia. His 184 runs on difficult pitches during the West Indies test tour helped Pat Cummins's team whitewash the hosts 3-0. Green said he was not reading too much into his batting form in the Caribbean. "I don't think we'll be playing on many wickets quite like that (this summer), so I don't think there's too many takeaways," he said. The first Ashes test is in Perth from Nov. 21.
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Alan Shearer accuses Alexander Isak of pouring ‘flames on fire' of Newcastle row
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Newcastle United's Alexander Isak has not featured for the club in pre-season or their opening game of the Premier League season. LONDON – Newcastle United great Alan Shearer has accused wantaway striker Alexander Isak of pouring 'flames on the fire' of his row with the Magpies by accusing the club of breaking promises. The Sweden international, who was the second-highest goalscorer in the English Premier League last season, has not featured for Newcastle in pre-season or their opening game of the campaign, a goalless draw away at Aston Villa last weekend. Liverpool have reportedly had a £110 million bid rejected for the 25-year-old, with Newcastle holding out for a British transfer record fee of up to £150 million. Isak released a statement on Tuesday after deciding not to appear at the Professional Footballers' Association awards event despite being selected in the Premier League 2024-25 Team of the Year. 'The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time,' said Isak, adding: 'When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue.' But former Newcastle captain and legend of the club Shearer, speaking to Betfair, labelled the current situation an 'absolute mess' as he accused Isak's agent, Vlado Lemic, of failing his client. 'If I was him, I'd get his agent in a room and sack him on the spot immediately, because he is meant to be giving him the advice to sign that six-year deal and there's no get-out clause,' he said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 3 people taken to hospital after fire in Bukit Merah flat Singapore 3 Sengkang Green Primary pupils suspended for bullying classmate, with 1 of them caned: MOE World Israel says it has taken first steps of military operation in Gaza City Singapore 18 persons nabbed and 82 vapes seized in HSA ops in Raffles Place and Haji Lane Life Why should we bear the burden of budget meals and app discounts, some S'pore hawkers ask Business Chinese brands like Pop Mart, BYD, Joocyee expanding into S'pore as gateway to Asean market Singapore Religion growing in importance for Singaporeans: IPS study Asia 'Disastrous, useless': New Zealand to overhaul high school qualification to lift falling standards 'I mean, it's ridiculous. And to take anyone's word in football... it's nonsensical to say that someone said, 'Oh, I'll be able to get out at the end of the season'. Really? I mean, come on. 'Everything sort of boils down to – I think he's being given bad advice... It's not a good look on a player or an agent to not go out and train and not go out and play when you have a contract behind you.' The ex-England striker added: 'I've always said there are two sides to every story, but my feelings are exactly the same – he's gone about it in the wrong way. 'I just think even releasing this statement last night has thrown flames onto the fire, which he didn't need to do... It doesn't benefit anyone.' According to reports, Isak had been promised an improved contract only for Newcastle to hold off due to pressures of meeting financial sustainability rules. The club then issued a statement late on Tuesday saying that while they were saddened by Isak's comments, they could yet welcome him back into the squad. 'No commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer,' said the statement. 'We want to keep our best players... Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates.' Isak has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances since joining from Real Sociedad in 2022, including the winner against Liverpool in the League Cup final earlier this year. Liverpool have already spent around £300 million overhauling a squad that romped to the Premier League title last season. Any deal is unlikely to be done before the two clubs face off in their next Premier League game on Monday at St James' Park. AFP, REUTERS
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Arsenal could hijack Tottenham's bid for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match against Chelsea on Aug 17. LONDON – Arsenal are poised to snatch Eberechi Eze from under the noses of arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, in what could be one of the most audacious moves of the English Premier League's summer transfer window, it was reported on Aug 20. Spurs appeared to be on course to bring the 27-year-old Crystal Palace attacking midfielder to their corner of north London. But it is now being suggested that Arsenal, amid concerns over a knee injury to Kai Havertz, will scupper the deal and bring England international Eze, released by the Gunners as a 13-year-old, back to the Emirates. The Athletic reported that Arsenal had reached agreement in principle with Palace to sign Eze, with the deal worth in the region of the expired £68 million (S$117.6 million) release clause, matching the level of fee Spurs were prepared to pay. The Gunners' interest increased after Havertz suffered an injury setback. The Germany international came on in the second half of last weekend's 1-0 victory over Manchester United and completed the game, but he was absent from Arsenal's open training at the Emirates on Aug 20. Arsenal finished runners-up to Premier League champions Liverpool last season and are expected to challenge for the title again whereas Spurs, who won the Europa League final, ended the campaign in a lowly 17th place – one spot above the relegation zone. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 3 people taken to hospital after fire in Bukit Merah flat Singapore 3 Sengkang Green Primary pupils suspended for bullying classmate, with 1 of them caned: MOE World Israel says it has taken first steps of military operation in Gaza City Singapore 18 persons nabbed and 82 vapes seized in HSA ops in Raffles Place and Haji Lane Life Why should we bear the burden of budget meals and app discounts, some S'pore hawkers ask Business Chinese brands like Pop Mart, BYD, Joocyee expanding into S'pore as gateway to Asean market Singapore Religion growing in importance for Singaporeans: IPS study Asia 'Disastrous, useless': New Zealand to overhaul high school qualification to lift falling standards Eze played 84 minutes of the 0-0 weekend draw at Chelsea and trained on Aug 20 ahead of Palace's Conference League play-off at home to Fredrikstad, with manager Oliver Glasner insisting that he and Eagles captain Marc Guehi, a target for Liverpool, would both start the European tie. 'Before Chelsea, I think many of you were surprised that Marc and Ebs started and played almost the whole game,' Glasner told a pre-match press conference. 'Most of you will be surprised that they will start again tomorrow because of all the rumours. But again, they are committed.' Glasner, who also guided Palace to Community Shield glory in a penalty shoot-out win over Liverpool, added: 'They are committed to the team, they have a contract here, they played a crucial part that we could be so successful, and they will play a crucial part as long as they are here. 'Because they are good, they are committed to the team, and when one of the players leave, which I don't know at the moment, then they want to leave as players who always gave 100 per cent for Crystal Palace. 'This is what they did since they signed, and this is what we expect from them until the end of their contract, whenever this is.' Palace captain Guehi is under contract until next year, while Eze's deal expires in 2027. 'This noise, these rumours, it's not just for three days, it's been written for weeks,' said Glasner. AFP
