New manager Pierre Sage‘s introduction to life in the English Premier League as Oliver Glasner’s replacement at Crystal Palace did not exactly go to plan, but it was a typically topsy turvy opening weekend of fixtures for a number of sides, so few Eagles fans will be getting bent out of shape just now given there is so much football left to play this campaign.
There were some positive signs from the 47 year old Frenchman and for Palace fans who like a flutter, they will be hoping that those continue for their own football betting reasons. But the ongoing uncertainty at Selhurst Park continues to loom large and simply put, fans need the distractions ended just as much as our new gaffer does, so we can better plan for the year ahead. There were plenty of positives on display against Everton in our opener, but with our unlucky streak against David Moyes’ side continuing, we are left to rue the early chances that we wasted as the final result could well have been different.
The main takeaway was our continued inability to put the ball in the back of the net, and with ongoing rumour mill driven transfer window speculation, we were somewhat predictably without 28 year old Senegalese international attacker Ismaili Sarr. The 88 capped international talent, and last season’s top scorer, has long been linked with a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray and that saga continues to rumble on.
Another ongoing saga concerns Jean-Philippe Mateta. Having seen injury scupper his rollercoaster January transfer window move to Italian side AC Milan, this summer has seen him dispute his remaining contract is actually valid. It is very fair to say he wants out by hook or likely crook, however, his appeals have fallen on deaf ears and the fact he was in the starting XI are a testament to that.
His 63 minute run out did not bear fruit and although FIFA kicked his complaint away, and it is likely the so far unknown decision by a Premier League tribunal went in our favour (he played after all), this matter seems far from a conclusion. With deadline day nearing with September on the horizon, fans will certainly be expecting a twist or turn on this one – even if Mateta’s 63 minutes do imply that bridges have not been burnt and that whatever relationship remains is not yet irreparable.
But they are two massive distractions for Sage as he continues to try and get his message over to the players, and stamp his own authority on the group he has inherited. Mateta understandably has interest in him in the week that remains, and fellow Premier League side Aston Villa feature highly in that speculation given their own need to presumably replace Ollie Watkins with the player implosion that has occurred at Villa Park this summer.
From our point of view, assuming there are no lingering issues with his contract, only ten months remain and this is now the last window that we can recoup a fee for a player who clearly wants to head for pastures new.
A speedy deal is now in the best interests of both parties, but we will have to wait and see on whether or not we get one.
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