As Crystal Palace head into the new season, they are linked with several talents across the globe.
Crystal Palace have been given the opportunity to sign a highly-rated young defender from South America. According to ESPN Brazil, the Premier League club have been offered the chance to bring in the Palmeiras centre-back.
19-year-old Luiz Benedetti remains one of Brazil’s brightest defensive prospects and continues to attract interest from Europe. Arsenal were linked with him almost a year ago, identifying him as a long-term defensive prospect while he continued his development at Palmeiras.
But it seems Palace are not planning to act quickly. ESPN journalist Bruno Andrade reports the Eagles have checked on the defender’s situation, but the response from Selhurst Park was clear. “There is nothing there now. It will be for later.”
The club admire the teenager but are focused on signing players capable of making an immediate impact in Pierre Sage’s first-team squad. That’s the priority right now.
One for the future
The problem isn’t the player’s talent. Crystal Palace reportedly rate Luiz Benedetti highly, but would currently view him as a player for their Under-21 setup rather than someone ready to challenge for first-team football.
That’s the key issue. Pierre Sage is building a squad for the here and now. He’s already brought in Takehiro Tomiyasu while Zavier Gozo and Dwight McNeil are expected to be confirmed soon and is chasing other targets. At 19 years old, Luiz Benedetti needs time to develop and doesn’t fit that immediate picture for Crystal Palace.
Palmeiras could use sales involving some of their younger players to help meet their financial targets. The teenager remains under contract until 2029 and has a €100 million release clause, although previous reports suggested Palmeiras would consider offers closer to €20 million. That’s still a significant fee for a player who wouldn’t go straight into the first team.
People will enjoy Benedetti, believes former coach
Former Palmeiras U20 manager Lucas Andrade gave a detailed assessment of the player, explaining why he’s attracted attention from Europe. “Benedetti is a spectacular centre-back, maybe a complete player, and I’m saying this having worked with players like Vitor Reis. But Benedetti is a guy who is 2 metres tall and reaches 36 km/h.”
Those are impressive physical attributes. But Andrade also addressed the challenges of breaking through at senior level. “It’s incredible, but it’s not easy to be a centre-back in the first team. The fans naturally want a ready defender. They don’t want to hear about potential – they want to see the team win and the defender perform.”
He also suggested patience will be key in the player’s development. “So sometimes we need to take one step back to take two forward. I think Benedetti is another player where, if we get the chance to see him here, people will really enjoy what he can do.”
The Verdict on Luiz Benedetti
This one feels like a classic “one for the future” situation. Palace have been offered a talented youngster, they’ve done their homework, and they’ve decided now isn’t the right time. The club’s current stance is understandable. With the season about to kick off, Sage needs players who can hit the ground running.
The offer is on the table. Benedetti will likely be on Palace’s radar for the future. But for now, the Eagles are focused on other priorities. As the club made clear, it will be for later.
