Crystal Palace may be resigned to losing Oliver Glasner at the end of the season, but that hasn't stopped Steve Parish from planning ahead.
A lot has changed this season, and while it feels like Palace are on a low after winning the 2025 FA Cup and losing Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi to Premier League rivals, silverware is on the cards for the Londoners.
However, the games need to improve, as a game the size of Leeds United with ten players was difficult to win. Glasner refused to come out of his smart skin and played with great aggression and enterprise in the final third. Leeds dug deep, and their defensive tenacity won out.
For now, Eagles fans can only hope the Austrian coach makes the right changes over the next few months as Palace chase the Conference League title and an unlikely top seven finish.
But there is no doubt that radical changes are needed.
Palace are planning transfer changes in the summer
Jorgen Strand Larsen was signed for a club record fee of £48m in February, replacing Jean-Philippe Mateta despite the Frenchman's £30m move to AC Milan.
This was an important signing, because Mateta, 28, decided to leave Selhurst Park after five years, and he returned, coming off the bench, during the goalless draw on Saturday. He looked carefully without speed.
|
Jean-Philippe Mateta in the Premier League |
||
|---|---|---|
|
The season |
Applications |
Terms + Help |
|
25/26 |
24 |
8 + 0 |
|
24/25 |
37 |
14 + 2 |
|
23/24 |
35 |
16 + 6 |
|
22/23 |
29 |
2 + 0 |
|
21/22 |
22 |
5 + 1 |
|
20/21 |
7 |
1 + 0 |
But the Les Bleus star had never been in the limelight before, and while Strand Larsen is still in action, Parish and co would be wise to sign another contender and newcomer.
According to Football Insider, they seem to have settled on their man. Crystal Palace are ready to battle Leeds United for £20m-rated Derby County striker Patrick Agyemang.
The 25-year-old is one of Derby's prized possessions, and they don't want to let him go. Still, the pull of the Premier League is strong, and Palace know they need to strengthen their front line.
Why Agyemang would be good for the Palace
In Eddie Nketiah, we have something of a forgotten man. Plans for another goalscorer could be shelved if we put our faith in the former Arsenal striker, but he has left much to be desired since his move south.
In Agyemang, Palace would come to the fore with the ability to overtake Nketiah in the race for success, all the while confirming Parish and the recruiting team's ability to take over in the EFL.
In recent years, the Eagles have harvested their fair share of quality in the Championship, with Eze, Guehi and Michael Olise all cutting their teeth in the second tier before becoming Premier League stars.
In that, the 6 foot 4 Agyemang can emulate them. In 33 league games this season, he has scored 10 goals and provided three assists, linking up well with his team-mates and using his frame to become a hub for his team-mates to channel their energy and creativity.
Agyemang's consistency throughout the campaign, and his ability to break forward, playing on the left and as a number 10 this season, underlines his ability in a Palace shirt, someone who can complement and challenge Strand Larsen without being a carbon copy. He certainly has what it takes to install Mateta.
The USMNT international, with five goals in 12 games, hasn't reached the top flight, but his strength, body and tall frame make him a tailored option for a club like Palace, who surprisingly wins 6.1 duels per game.
This attacking force may not have the world-class brilliance and power of former talents like Eze and Olise, but they can follow that path up to the Premier League, keeping an eye on the Championship and showing that they have more to offer.
He's a monster: Crystal Palace have struck gold with new signing Marc Guehi
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