Crystal Palace will be appointing a new manager this summer, and it’s crucial he is backed in the transfer window. Oliver Glasner, who leaves in June, hasn’t been afraid to call out the club’s recruitment and question their ambition.
Glasner has worked wonders with financial resources that aren’t on par with the Premier League big guns. The Austrian has seen some of his best players leave, including Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi.
Whoever succeeds Glasner will want to build a squad in their image, and that means fans can expect to see several first-team stars depart. Four members of the current Eagles squad should be offloaded, whether that be due to their contracts expiring or a lack of form.
Jean-Philippe Mateta
When a player pushes to leave a club in the manner that Jean-Philippe Mateta attempted to in January its hard to get them back on side with fans. The French striker went public with his desire to move elsewhere.
Mateta was on the brink of sealing a £30m deadline day transfer to AC Milan until he failed a medical. The Serie A giants pulled the plug, and the 28-year-old returned to South London.
Fans can expect to see the Frenchman pull on the Palace shirt again before the season ends. He at least will be able to end his spell with the Eagles on a high note before a sale takes place in the summer.
Mateta is most likely to again wish to leave the club despite missing out on a move to San Siro. Reports claim that Newcastle United are interested, and with a year left on his contract, it’s time to cash in.
| Jean Philippe-Mateta | Data |
|---|---|
| League appearances: | 23 |
| Goals: | 8 |
| Assists: | 0 |
| Contract expires: | 30/06/2027 |
| Transfermarkt value: | £35 million |
Jefferson Lerma
There’s no questioning Jefferson Lerma’s dedication and his impact since joining Palace as a free agent in the summer of 2023. The Colombian has very rarely put in a dissapointing performance and is consistently one of his team’s better performers.
Lerma has performed any role asked of him, including as a makeshift centre-back. But the 31-year-old isn’t getting any younger, and his contract is up in June.
It might be time for Palace to part ways with the former Bournemouth midfielder, who is currently sidelined with a thigh injury. He is the club’s joint-sixth-highest earner, taking home a reported £70,000 per week (via Capology).
| Jefferson Lerma | Data |
|---|---|
| League appearances: | 23 |
| Goals: | 0 |
| Assists: | 3 |
| Contract expires: | 30/06/2026 |
| Transfermarkt value: | £7 million |
Eddie Nketiah
Eddie Nketiah has unfortunately failed to reach expectations since arriving at Palace from Arsenal for £30m in August 2024. Many envisioned the English frontman to earn a regular starting berth in the South Londoners’ team.
That hasn’t been the case amid a lack of form and injury problems, which have halted his ongoing campaign. He is currently recovering from a thigh issue, missing 12 games for the Eagles this term.
Nketiah has real talent and can score an important goal, such as the winner in a 2-1 win over Liverpool earlier this season. But if the club wish to trigger Evann Guessand’s buy option, they should consider offloading the 26-year-old.
| Eddie Nketiah | Data |
|---|---|
| League appearances: | 12 |
| Goals: | 2 |
| Assists: | 0 |
| Contract expires: | 30/06/2029 |
| Transfermarkt value: | £14 million |
Borna Sosa
Palace fans have already run out of patience with Borna Sosa just eight months after his arrival at the club. The Croatian joined from Ajax last summer in a £3m deal and was expected to give Tyrick Mitchell competition at left-back.
Sosa has failed to impress, making just five league appearances, totalling 53 minutes of game time. The 28-year-old hasn’t adapted to life in the Premier League and should be put up for sale in the summer.
A younger left-back should be on Palace’s radar to rotate with Mitchell and potentially replace him in the long run. That said, the Eagles are linked with Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, who is out of contract and could help a new manager with his experience.
| Borna Sosa | Data |
|---|---|
| League appearances: | 5 |
| Goals: | 0 |
| Assists: | 0 |
| Contract expires: | 30/06/2028 |
| Transfermarkt value: | £3.5 million |
