It’s hard enough for Crystal Palace to keep hold of their star players in the senior team. Adam Wharton is seemingly on every top European club’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window.
Eberechi Eze joined Arsenal last summer, and Marc Guehi headed to Manchester City in January. It’s thought that Manchester United and Liverpool are keeping tabs on Wharton, who has come off the boil in recent weeks.
Another Palace youngster who has caught the eye of the likes of Juventus and Atalanta is goalkeeper Lucca Benneton. The English starlet has been brilliant for the U18s and his displays haven’t gone unnoticed.
Juventus eye Palace starlet Benneton
Benneton is only 15 but already playing for the Eagles’ U18’s. He’s made three appearances this season, keeping one clean sheet. The teenage shot-stopper has been capped three times by England’s U16’s, and there are huge expectations.
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato IT, Juve and Atalanta are monitoring Benneton, and there is a belief he might end up in Italy. He has the option to represent multiple national teams, but he’s made clear his future lies with England.
Benneton is said to have already trained with Palace’s first team, which indicates just how highly rated he is at Selhurst Park. The Eagles’ U18’s coach Javier Alonso waxed lyrical about the goalkeeper and two of his teammates when speaking to club media:
“The contributions from Lucca, Dylan and Mylo have been excellent – it’s a big step up and they’ve fully embraced it.”
The club will be eager to keep hold of Benneton, given that he seems the ideal long-term replacement for Dean Henderson. He started his footballing career with Windsor FC at the age of four, before spending spells at Slough Town and Palace once he turned 11.
Benneton alternated between defensive midfield and in-goal, but eventually settled permanently between the sticks. He caught the attention of the South London club during his time with London Elite and Elite Academy.
‘Great experience’ – Benneton on first-team training
The English goalkeeping prospect was just 14 when he was given the opportunity to train with Palace’s first team. He trained with Henderson, Remi Matthews and Matt Turner, learning just how different senior football is.
Benneton spoke about the experience and the chance to train with the goalkeeping trio. He told the club’s media in February 2025:
“Being with the first team was a great experience. It’s very different to the academy – the preparation, the detail, how thorough everything is. You learn a lot just by being around them and talking to the senior players.”
Palace are renowned for trusting youth, and that might factor into any decision Benneton makes about his future. If he is keen to continue his international career with England, then staying at Selhurst Park and becoming the club’s future number one is a real possibility.
