- Eddie Nketiah to miss rest of Crystal Palace season
- English striker arrived from Arsenal for £30m
- Fans becoming frustrated with recurring injury problems
Crystal Palace fans have voiced their frustrations with the decision to spend £30m on Eddie Nketiah following his latest injury setback. The English striker has spent most of the season on the sidelines.
Oliver Glasner confirmed on Friday that Nketiah will miss the rest of the campaign after sustaining an injury setback. He took part in training but pulled up with an issue, and a scan has determined that he won’t be able to feature again under the Austrian coach.
Nketiah has appeared 19 times across competitions this season, posting four goals and one assist. He has been out of action since late December with a thigh problem.
Palace Fans Frustrated – ‘Can’t Believe It’
Nketiah’s lack of availability has been problematic, especially with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s future still looking likely to lie away from Selhurst Park. The French striker pushed to leave the club in January but failed a medical ahead of a proposed £30m move to AC Milan.
Jorgen Strand Larsen arrived in January for a club record £48m, which has helped address the issue. Fortunately, the Norweigan was available during Mateta’s absence with a knee injury.
Some Palace fans are losing their patience with Nketiah and his injury record. They feel the fee that makes him the fifth most expensive signing in the club’s history hasn’t been repaid.
One fan responded to Glasner’s announcement by pointing out the money paid to Arsenal back in August 2024:
“Arsenal proper mugged us off with £30 million. Does anyone look at injury records with players?? Would be better in the long run. Added to the list with Nathan Ferguson and Connor Wickham.”
Another replied:
“They got Eze for 67 mill we got Eddie for 30 mill we was robbed pocketed like 37 mill for Eze.”
One fan wants Dougie Freedman back:
“Nketiah and Brennan Johnson thats nearly £60 million wasted yet Arsenal got Eze for that you could not make it up come back Dougie Freedman!”
Another supporter is eager for Nketiah to prove his worth:
“I can not believe it what a waste of money for us hopefully he gets fit in preseason and pays the club back.”
One added:
“He’s good but just injured too much.”
Nketiah has just over three years left on his contract ahead of the summer transfer window. It seems unlikely he’ll be sold but there are certainly doubts over his future at Selhurst Park.
Nketiah Might be Playing for his Future
One striker who might have arrived in the summer was Patrick Agyemang who has caught the eye at Derby County. Reports claimed that the Eagles were eyeing the American frontman but faced competition from Leeds United.
Agyemang no longer seems likely to be on the club’s agenda after suffering an ACL injury. He has been ruled out of the World Cup and there’s no certainty he’ll be available for the first half of next season.
Mateta still might be on his way out of Selhurst Park with just a year left on his contract. Steve Parish will be eager for Nketiah to remain fit and step up his form as a possible backup to Strand Larsen under a new manager next season.
