Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner admitted he is “not surprised” star player Eberechi Eze is leaving amid a squad crisis at Selhurst Park after their opening Conference League game on Thursday.
The Eagles soared to a 1-0 victory over Fredrikstad on the night, with Eze calling in sick despite expectations he was to play, as his move to Arsenal edges closer.
The Eagles won the crucial qualifier at Selhurst Park, with Glasner’s side travelling to Norway next week looking to secure their place in the tournament proper.
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Despite the victory, a gloomy Glasner appeared before the media after the game, solemnly discussing his departing star, Eze. He had previously confirmed that the 27-year-old would play in last night’s fixture.
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the only goal in the game
|REUTERS
“I have to apologise to all of you because I didn’t tell the truth yesterday,” Glasner admitted. “I thought [Eze] would play... he called me and said he didn’t feel well. You have to ask him [why], maybe in a few days.”
When asked if Eze will ever play for the club again, the Austrian offered a simple answer: “No.”
The departure marks the latest bump in a long and arduous transfer window at Selhurst Park that has been marred by the club’s dispute with Uefa and subsequent demotion to the Conference League.
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Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner admitted it is 'no surprise' that Eberechi Eze is leaving the club | YouTubeLong transfer sagas around talisman Eze and skipper Marc Guehi have also plagued Glasner’s side, while the club have spent just £2million in the window.
Full-back Borna Sosa and back-up goalkeeper Walter Benitez - who arrived on a free transfer - are the only incomings at Selhurst Park this summer, and Glasner is well aware of the precarious situation they find themselves in.
“We are very late, there are 10 days to go to find the right replacements,” he continued. “Again, we could’ve done much better than we did. It’s no criticism, it’s just telling facts, this group is working so hard.
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“I know we can rely on this group, but it’s really not the best way to start into the season. No defeat, that’s all good, but I think we are below the edge.”
“It’s clear now I can’t do anything. I can’t sign the players. We have to act, and we need this. This is Crystal Palace's future.
“We need to add not numbers, we need the right players. The profile is defined for months, it’s not surprising Ebs left.”
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Skipper Marc Guehi is also rumoured to leave the club this summer
|REUTERS
But the departures may not stop at Eze, with Guehi strongly linked to Liverpool. The 25-year-old’s contract runs out next summer, and chairman Steve Parish admitted recently that he would have to sign a contract or be sold immediately. Neither scenario has yet unfolded.
“I just know if Marc leaves then we cannot register anyone for Fredrikstad [away leg], so from my side, he has to stay,” Glasner explained, painfully.
“You see we played Jefferson Lerma at the back today, we have no centre backs available at the moment and if Marc leaves, OK maybe I will try my boots because I was a centre back!”
Parish discussed Eze’s departure with Channel 5: “He’s been fantastic for the club and we’re pleased that he’s going to fulfil the ambitions that he’s got.
“The King is dead, long live the King. We have to try use the money and give ourselves a stronger base.”
The Eagles chairman concluded on a rally cry, aimed at boss Glasner, promising players will arrive at the south London club: “We have to move past it and we have to find other players to bring in that could support the rest of the team and Oliver.”
Palace fans and, in particular, their boss, who cast a particularly frustrated figure on the night despite the victory, will be hoping to see some new faces around the training ground sooner rather than later.
But it comes in a summer where nothing has gone the way of Crystal Palace so far. Glasner, Parish and the club will be hoping their fortune changes within the next nine days.