New Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage addressed the media in his first press conference since succeeding Oliver Glasner in June, projecting strong confidence about key squad matters while preparing his side to travel to Everton for their Premier League opener on Saturday.
The shadow cast over Selhurst Park this summer has not been short of dramatic twists. Having lifted three trophies in two extraordinary years under Oliver Glasner culminating in May’s Conference League triumph Crystal Palace find themselves standing at the precipice of a brand new era.
Glasner’s sudden exit to Nottingham Forest sent shockwaves through South London. Now, the burden of maintaining Palace’s unprecedented momentum falls squarely onto the shoulders of Pierre Sage.
The 47-year-old Frenchman, fresh off guiding Lens to a Coupe de France triumph and a second-place Ligue 1 finish, officially stepped into the spotlight for his first pre-match press conference as Eagles boss.
Ahead of a tricky Premier League opener away to Everton on Merseyside, Sage fielded questions on squad depletion,mega-money transfer speculation, and the daunting weight of expectations.
The Wharton dilemma and heavyweight interest
The biggest cloud hovering over Beckenham involves midfielder Adam Wharton. Manchester City have spent the closing weeks of the window eyeing up the 22-year-old anchor after undergoing a drastic midfield overhaul of their own. Bernardo Silva departed on a free for Real Madrid, while Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders completed moves to Barcelona and Al Qadsiah respectively. While City laid down £116 million for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and continue to monitor Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez alongside Lille starlet Ayyoub Bouaddi, Wharton remains a prime target on Enzo Maresca radar.
Sage, however, holds a firm line. While acknowledging the young Englishman possesses the quality to grace Europe’s elite, the new manager insists Selhurst Park remains the best place for his immediate development.
Sage said: “I think now is not the moment to do that (sell Wharton). I think he is able to play in another club, in a big club, here or everywhere in Europe.
“But I think one year with us, with a new dynamic, will be good for him, and we need him. That’s why I think he will stay with us.”
Although Sage refused to completely close the door on reviewing Wharton’s situation next summer, keeping him in the heart of Palace’s midfield for the upcoming campaign remains a non-negotiable priority.
Transfer priorities and the Zaha question
Wharton is not the only high-profile squad matter occupying Sage’s desk. Palace face a clear void at the back following Maxence Lacroix’s £52 million move to Chelsea. Finding a commanding central defender before the deadline remains top of the club’s transfer objective list.
Then there is the nostalgic specter of Wilfried Zaha. The Palace legend who netted 90 goals in 458 appearances before leaving in 2023 has recently used the club’s facilities for private training, instantly setting off the rumour mill among the fan base. Sage wasted no time dampening hopes of a romantic return.
Regarding Zaha, Sage said: “I know he is a legend here, but to be really honest, I don’t think he will stay with us.”
Squad availability presents another immediate hurdle for Saturday’s trip to Goodison Park. Captain Dean Henderson faces a late fitness test after picking up an ankle tweak during last week’s friendly against Freiburg, forcing the coaching staff to wait on Friday’s final session before deciding on his inclusion.
“He will train today with the keeper’s coach, and we will take the decision tomorrow, but we hope he is able to play. A little twist with the ankle, but not too much. During the (Freiburg) game we take the decision to preserve him because, he’s able to play, but we prefer to let him recover, two or three days of treatment and come in a better shape.”
Whether Palace can carry that habit of winning into the post-Glasner era will become clearer under the Hill Dickinson Stadium floodlights. The squad may still be in flux and key players are building fitness after a grueling summer, but Sage’s vision is unmistakable: steady the foundation, build around elite talent like Wharton, and prove that South London’s remarkable resurgence was no temporary flash in the pan.
