- Christantus Uche spoke to Read Crystal Palace
- Claimed Oliver Glasner ‘doesn’t like me’
- Eagles boss insists lack of football ‘isn’t personal’
Oliver Glasner has given his thoughts on Christantus Uche’s exclusive interview with Read Crystal Palace in which the player suggested he might have played his last game for the club. The Nigerian broke his silence amid a lack of game time in recent months.
Uche’s last appearance for Palace came in a 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on March 5th. He has not featured for the side since and was removed from the Conference League squad to accommodate Jorgen Strand Larsen, Brennan Johnson and Evann Guessand.
The 22-year-old has spent the season on loan at Selhurst Park from Spanish side Getafe. The loan agreement required the attacker to make 10 Premier League starts, and this is no longer possible.
Glasner Responds to Uche Interview
Getafe sporting director Toni Munoz confirmed Uche is heading back to the La Liga club this summer. This is because the terms of an obligation to buy have not been met.
Read Crystal Palace via OurCPFC then asked Uche for a message to supporters in light of his impending exit. He said:
““I may not have much playing time, but I am grateful for the fans who continue to support me and the team. Your dedication and enthusiasm mean a lot and I hope to make you proud whenever I do get the chance to play but I know maybe it won’t happen again because the coach doesn’t like me.”
He added:
“Nevertheless, thank you for always being there and cheering us on. I love you guys.”
Our interview with Uche was put to Glasner during his pre-match press conference ahead of Palace’s Conference League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk. He responded:
“For me, I never blame the player for certain things; this stays internal. Uche wasn’t registered for the second phase of the Conference League. I had a private conversation with him, and naturally, he wasn’t pleased with the outcome.”
Glasner added:
“I had to make a difficult decision due to the competition rules. We had several new signings arriving in January. Honestly, had I known that Eddie Nketiah would fail to regain fitness, Uche would have remained in the squad.”
Uche hasn’t started a single Premier League game this season but did make the starting lineup in two Conference League games. He scored in a 3-0 win over Shelbourne and a 2-2 draw against Kuopion Palloseura.
‘Nothing Personal’
Uche’s interview came days after he posted an Instagram story that suggested he had been enduring a difficult period. His manager insisted his decision to remove him from the Conference League squad wasn’t personal:
“There was absolutely nothing personal involved. I like him as a person, but I had to make a professional choice. Every player here receives the best possible support we can offer. However, you also have to be open to receiving that help. Support is not a one-way street; it must be reciprocal. He remains our player, and he will continue to get our full backing.”
Uche has made 22 appearances across competitions for Palace, registering two goals and one assist. The main issue in this saga is the terms of his loan, as it might have prevented the Nigerian from being afforded more opportunities.
