Issue 65 - Leaving The Palace

Managers departing. Open secrets being confirmed. Best player also leaving. Could have gone for much more. A lot going on at Crystal Palace. A lot going out at Crystal Palace. What does it all mean? Let’s try and make sense of it together. Issue 65. Go.

Auf Wiedersehn Oliver

The rumours are true, Oliver Glasner is to leave Crystal Palace. Turned out the Austrian made the decision back in October but asked for it not to be made public until the start of 2026.

Too early in the campaign to say you are eventually off? Probably. A lame duck season because of this consequence? Possibly. Whichever you look at it, the cracks at this Palace are getting bigger.

In a week where the club have been dumped out of the FA Cup to sixth-tier Macclesfield, I did mention in the previous issue that it feels as if the momentum at Selhurst Park is fizzling out, this news only seems to reinforce my point of view.

There is never a good time for a silverware winning manager to announce his departure, entering the second half of the campaign does make the decision slightly more palatable - it gives Palace supporters more time to prepare for what is to unfold.

After the highs of last season, there is a feeling that this campaign has seen the Eagles regress to the mean, no shame in that whatsoever - they will still be card carrying members of the Premier League bar an absolutely disasterous run of form.

Which means Glasner’s own stock will be high and already clubs both in England and Europe will be trying to position themselves front and centre when it comes to waving a deal under the nose of the former Eintracht Frankfurt manager.

The Manchester United job will be available on a full time basis, all is not well at Spurs. Arne Slot cannot get to comfortable at Anfield either. Plenty of options available should Glasner want them.

The Other Departure

But what about options in defence? They will be one fewer in the next few days as Marc Guehi’s stint in SE25 comes to an end. Like Glasner, he is also yet to pen to paper on a new deal, the club forced into a decision to sell now or lose him for free later.

A decision that could have been made in August for double the money with a move to Liverpool all but complete on the final day of the transfer window. That was until, a certain Mr Glasner halted it by saying if he goes, so do I.

The kind of move that in hindsight looks rather strange with everything that has unfolded since. Especially if he knew as far back as October that he would be not commiting his long-term future to Steve Parish.

What happened between August and October? That is the big question.

Was it the fact that Palace had to make do with the Conference League rather than the Europa League? That in itself would not necessarily be the reason to say I am not hanging about.

Maybe the slow start to the Premier League campaign suggested that the mountain top had already been reached once the FA Cup had been lifted back in May. Although the club could use that as the launchpad, it feels like this rocket exploded on launch.

Since they earned promotion from the Championship at the end of the 2012/13 season, their time in the Premier League has not delivered a top half finish. 12 successive seasons in the bottom half, likely to be 13 come the end of this campaign.

The more you see them this season, it does feel like their FA Cup success was a positive blip rather than a new norm and for that reason more anything else, a manager of Glasner’s stature has likely made the right decision.

What happens between now and May? Well if Glasner had any sense, he would likely put all his eggs in a Conference League shaped basket. Chuck the Premier League in terms of results, everything will be fine.

Go and win the final in Leipzig and leave on the highest note possible - a note that sees Palace in the Europa League a season later than planned. West Ham and Chelsea have already won the competition, a third Premier League club could soon join them.

Remember The Charges

News of Marc Guehi’s imminent move to Manchester City made me think of something else earlier. Whatever happened to the 115 charges connected to the Etihad outfit? Did we all just imagine this?

The arrival of Guehi coupled with the capture of Antoine Semenyo suggests one thing to me. City are at worst going to feel a light touch when it comes to any sanctioning regarding the charges.

They must be either a) bullish or b) already know from their own legal team, that things have gone their way. This is not a team going out and preparing for the worst, this a team planning for next phase with plenty of positivity.

Is this success for the legal team for a job well done, maybe the best example of filibuster of football you have ever witnessed. If the Premier League had something to hand out in terms of punishment, surely it would have been handed out by now.

Ultimately the above is nothing more than how I see it but considering nobody has mentioned the charges in a long time and City are flexing their financial muscle, you get the feeling that 2+2 does not equal a hefty points deduction.

What is your take on the matter? Have City managed to kick this one in the long grass or have I got this completely wrong. Let me know via comments or email.

The Feedback Section

Just a quick bit of public feedback from the previous issue.

Harry Scarfe was good enough to email and say:

Cheers Harry and Seth Eaves had this to say about FA Cup gate receipts:

I agree Seth. If you want to provide any thoughts from the football world, the inbox is always open.

Ten Quick Tackles

A look at the main talking points as we head into the upcoming Premier League weekend schedule.

Manchester United vs Manchester City

Michael Carrick’s first piece of current interim business is to lead his Manchester United charges into local battle. Derby day this Saturday lunchtime at Old Trafford, will the Theatre of Dreams be the home of a nightmare in another temporary era for this footballing institution.

Manchester City make the short trip looking to return to winning ways after three successive league draws, That in itself is the difference between Arsenal and themselves in the race for the title. Antoine Semenyo already in fine form in new surroundings, could he be the difference maker in what is a must-win clash.

Sunderland vs Crystal Palace

After a sluggish festive period, Sunderland will look to reboot their season on Saturday. The Black Cats have not won any of their last five league matches - admittedly only one of them has ended in defeat. A slight backwards step under Regis Le Bris but nothing to really worry about as far as supporters are concerned.

The same cannot be said for Crystal Palace, in all the words mentioned above no win in six was overlooked. Just two points from 18 have been collected, had the decision to leave not been made back in October, it may have been far easier to make these past few days.

Tottenham vs West Ham

All eyes will be on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Spurs take on West Ham on Saturday. Some are saying this could be a case of last chance saloon for both Thomas Frank and Nuno Espirito Santo. Will this be a factor in how both teams set up in N17.

Spurs have now also lost Richarlison to injury as the Brazilian joins Mohammed Kudus and Rodrigo Bentancur on the shelf. Connor Gallagher may have to prepare for a baptism of fire. Should he lead his new employers to victory, the Hammers board may have no chance but to fire their current manager.

Chelsea vs Brentford

Liam Rosenior’s first duties in charge of Chelsea was in midweek as the Blues lost 3-2 to Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup Semi-final clash. I must admit I was really impressed with how the new man in charge defended Robert Sanchez after the keeper’s pair of mistakes.

Rosenior saying “it was all on me” for those mistakes. A noble claim but not something he can say with every Chelsea loss. This weekend, they play host to Brentford in another West London derby. The Bees in fifth are currently three places better off than their local rivals, would it be a shock if they left Stamford Bridge with all three points?

Leeds vs Fulham

Leeds’ positive run of league form was ended in dramatic fashion at Newcastle nearly a fortnight ago. However, the Elland Road men did not dwell on their loss too much and this showed with their FA Cup win at Derby last weekend. Now though, Daniel Farke’s men will look to pull further clear of the relegation zone.

Something that opponents Fulham have certainly achieved these past few weeks and with the Cottagers unbeaten in each of their last six league games, eyes will be on Harry Wilson. Can the Welsh international continue that streak? Will it place him in the centre of the Craven Cottage shop window.

Liverpool vs Burnley

After their goalless draw at Arsenal, Liverpool will look to extend their current unbeaten Premier League run to 10 games. However, just extending it will not be good enough, supporters will all but demand a return to winning ways at the expense of struggling visitors Burnley.

When these two teams last met back in September, it was a 95th minute penalty from Mo Salah that gave the Reds all three points at Turf Moor. The Egyptian is not back from AFCON duties in time for this one but unfortunately for Burnley boss Scott Parker, there are plenty of other Liverpool starts who will keep his players busy.

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal

After suffering an FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship outfit Wrexham, Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche is back in the crossfire again. The word perspective keeps getting mentioned by the former Burnley and Everton boss, you can understand when his side are seven points clear of the drop.

Even with that gap, they cannot simply sleepwalk into Saturday evening’s clash with Arsenal. Still an element of free hit for as long as they have a six-point lead over both Manchester City and Arsenal. A win for Pep Guardiola’s men earlier in the day, may just increase the urgency levels at the City Ground.

Wolves vs Newcastle

It has not been too bad being a Wolves fan these past few weeks (For the record, I am not a Wolves fan but that is what I imagine. Unbeaten in their last three in the league, thumping Shrewsbury in the FA Cup last weekend. Rob Edwards’ managerial methods finally taking some hold.

Sunday sees them play host to Newcastle and after their 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, their grip on the trophy looks like it could be prised away in just a few weeks. Disappointment on that front, manager Eddie Howe cannot afford to disappointment supporters when up against the league’s basement side.

Aston Villa vs Everton

Aston Villa’s draw with Crystal Palace almost a fortnight ago was not as bruising as it could have been thanks to Liverpool’s help the following night. Their FA Cup win over Tottenham last Saturday certainly was. Manager Unai Emery will hope for a tamer affair and more importantly, maximum points when Everton visit on Sunday.

While the Toffees make the trip to Midlands having been dumped out of the FA Cup by Sunderland last weekend. Their wait for a trophy will now extend to 31 years, a win for David Moyes’ men would take them to 32 points and with the way things are going, all but secure another season in the top flight.

Brighton vs Bournemouth

A win over Manchester United in the FA Cup last weekend, unbeaten in their last three league outings, Brighton are finding their feet again after a rocky end to last year. A new diary for Fabian Hurzeler to make notes in, top of the page will be to the task of getting the Seagulls back into the top half.

Monday night sees them play host to a Bournemouth side who not only said goodbye to Antoine Semenyo’s talents in dramatic fashion at home to Tottenham but also then exited the FA Cup at the hands of Newcastle three days later. At least Andoni Iraola’s men have put that dreadful run of league form behind them as they look to make it back-to-back wins.

The Filter Five

Five is the magic number

Abraham At Villa

Donyall Malen out. Tammy Abraham likely to be in at Aston Villa. One going to Roma. One has his registration held by Roma but is currently on loan at Besiktas. Malen not the out and out striker that Unai Emery really needs to keep Ollie Watkins on his toes, his replacement certainly is.

An Admin Nightmare

Heard the one about the EFL Trophy game between Luton and Swindon? Swindon played a player who was not the teamsheet, they also played a player who has just started a seven-game ban. They may have won on the night, they will likely be thrown out before the next round gets underway.

AFCON Baby

The AFCON 2026 final takes place on Sunday as hosts Morocco play host to Senegal. Both semi-finals were largely cagey affairs, expect the same at the weekend. Extra-time and penalties to decide this one in my opinion.

Game Has Gone

Modern football there.

Fantasy Stuff

The FPL is back on the horizon this weekend. I’ve made four free transfers this week. Thanks AFCON. Deadline is 11:15am Saturday (UK time)

Admin

Right, that’s the end of issue 65 as word continues to spread around the football world.

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Issue 66 drops Tuesday, and I’ll be back with another round of insight, analysis and trends that matter. Any feedback or comments on this issue, contact me below:

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