Category: Crystal Palace

Ex-Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has joined MLS side Charlotte FC on loan until January 2026. The deal has an option to extend until June 2026, with Zaha linking up with former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith in the USA.

Zaha, 32, has been on loan with Lyon at the start of the 2024-25 season, having joined from Galatasaray last summer. But the Ivory Coast forward only made six appearances for the French giants, with five of them coming from the bench

Zaha made 458 appearances for the Eagles and is the club’s record Premier League goalscorer.

At the end of the 2022–2023 season, he accepted a club record £200,000 per week contract to pursue his ambition of playing in the Champions League. “Wilfried is a world-class talent who has proven himself at the highest level of the sport as an elite goal scorer and chance creator,” said General Manager Zoran Krnet. “We are sure Wilfried can have an instant impact in Major League Soccer because his performances in the Premier League and internationally speak for themselves.”

“He provides valuable versatility in the attacking areas of the pitch and adds that little bit of magic to our front line that can help us win more games. We are delighted to add a player of Wilfried’s pedigree and experience to our squad, and we’re excited to welcome him to Charlotte

­

Manchester United are pushing to sign a new left-back before the February 3rd transfer deadline.

 

TBR Football understand Manchester United have made a £30m move for Patrick Dorgu – although the Lecce No.13 is also admired by Tottenham.

 

Ruben Amorim desperately needs a new face in that department as Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia struggle to stay fit – with the Portuguese tactician resorting to using Diogo Dalot in that area since replacing Erik ten Hag.

 

It remains to be seen whether Manchester United sign Patrick Dorgu – although an approach has now been made for Crystal Palace No.3 Tyrick Mitchell in case that move fails to materialise.

 

Manchester United enquire about Tyrick Mitchell

ESPN are now claiming that Manchester United have enquired about the England international as the Red Devils aim to find a new left-back this winter.

 

Mitchell – who Tottenham also like – has made a name for himself as one of the most consistent Premier League performers in his position in recent years, racking up 154 appearances for Crystal Palace since replacing Patrick van Aanholt.

 

Tyrick Mitchell of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Southampton FC at Selhurst Park on December 29, 202…

 

The 25-year-old even managed to score against Manchester United last season during that 4-0 defeat for the Red Devils at Selhurst Park.

 

ESPN add that Manchester United have also asked Wolves what it would take to sign Rayan Ait-Nouri in case the swoop for Dorgu breaks down.

 

Crystal Palace No.3 may not be the answer for Ruben Amorim

Amorim uses a 3-4-3 formation at Old Trafford, in which the man from Lisbon needs very attack-minded players in the wide areas.

 

Mitchell is more of a traditional left-back who focuses on defending, as Oliver Glasner said himself earlier this month.

 

 

The Austrian stated: “We have to accept that he will never be a Daniel Munoz. Danny has a natural skill – an attacking way. He (Mitchell) comes more from the defensive part. I think he has improved already, but he still has potential within this.”

 

Incidentally, Glasner uses the same style as Amorim, and Crystal Palace are even trying to sign El Hadji Malick Diouf to replace Mitchell due to the Englishman’s lack of natural attacking flair.

 

Therefore, the Brent-born defender may not be the answer for Manchester United if the move for Dorgu collapses.

 

 

 

Crystal Palace announced their first signing of the winter transfer window on Saturday.

 

Romain Esse has now sealed his £14.5m move across south London from Millwall to Crystal Palace, signing a five-and-a-half year contract running until June 2030.

 

It was the icing on the cake in what has been a fine week for the Eagles, who now sit 12th in the Premier League after successive 2-0 wins away to Leicester and West Ham.

 

However, Crystal Palace are not done in the market just yet, with Dougie Freedman – Director of Football at Selhurst Park – now preparing a new £15m move for El Hadji Malick Diouf.

 

Crystal Palace to submit £15m El Hadji Malick Diouf bid

A story from Alan Nixon on Patreon now states that Crystal Palace will make a new attempt to bring the Senegal international to SE25.

 

Crystal Palace have already seen a £12.5m bid rejected for Diouf – who has enjoyed a great season for Slavia Prague so far with six goals and three assists in 18 Chance Liga appearances from left wing-back.

 

Nixon claims that the south Londoners travelled to Spain last week to watch the 20-year-old appear in a friendly for Slavia Prague, in an attempt to make progress in negotiations.

 

El Hadji Malick Diouf of SK Slavia Praha looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Athletic Club and SK Slavia …

 

Liverpool are also in talks to sign Diouf – however – with Nottingham Forest keen as well, so Crystal Palace face some competition for the Slavia Prague No.12’s signature.

 

Nixon adds that Crystal Palace are also considering Rennes No.3 Adrien Truffert – although Diouf is the preferred target.

 

Slavia Prague could make Crystal Palace pay over the odds for El Hadji Malick Diouf

It remains to be seen how Slavia Prague respond to a new offer from Crystal Palace, although the Czech giants have already raised a fair bit of cash this month, and could no longer have any need to sell Diouf.

 

Slavia Prague have received £12.5m from Tottenham for Antonin Kinsky, while the Chance Liga outfit also made around £7m from the sale of Matej Jurasek to Norwich.

 

Therefore, with less need for cash this month, Slavia Prague could well demand a premium price from Crystal Palace for Diouf.

 

 

 

The 19-year-old has become the Eagles’ first signing of the January transfer window

 

 

Oliver Glasner has revealed that Romain Esse’s “great character” was a major reason behind Crystal Palace’s decision to sign the teenager from Millwall.

 

The 19-year-old winger was announced on Saturday morning as the first signing of the month by Palace after the Eagles agreed a deal worth £12million plus £2.5m in add-ons to sign him from Millwall.

 

Glasner hailed Palace’s scouting department for spotting Esse’s talents early, before joking that he was only signed because he lives a three-minute walk from the training ground, making his commute good for the planet.

 

“I’m delighted that Romain joins us and can now train with us,” said Glasner, speaking after a Jean-Philippe Mateta double saw the Eagles win 2-0 at West Ham on Saturday to move 12th in the Premier League table.

 

“He will be a typical Crystal Palace signing — a young player from the Championship that we will help in his development. This is what we will do with Romain.

 

“We are convinced of his skills. Left foot, good first touch, understanding of the game and finding spaces. Then we will work with him and support him to improve. It gives us one more option in attack.”

 

Asked why the club prioritised signing Esse over other targets, Glasner quipped: “We said, ‘Who is living closest to the training ground? Then we will sign him.’ It was Romain, because he can walk over — it’s just a three-minute walk. It’s sustainability. He doesn’t need a car. He can walk tomorrow.”

 

Answering the same question more seriously, he said: “Of course, Dougie [Freedman] has known of him longer. We have a great scouting team.

 

“We analyse our games and then ask which profile we could add to the team that we don’t [already] have.

 

“I think his numbers are not extraordinary in the Championship. But he’s 19.

Prior to the January transfer window, Oliver Glasner acknowledged that his Crystal Palace team lacked Romain Esse’s profile. Esse’s signing was revealed at the London Stadium on Saturday morning prior to the match. To sign the Lambeth-born winger to a five-and-a-half-year contract, the Eagles paid the Lions a club-record £14.5 million.

Esse, a left-footed player who primarily plays on the right flank, made 66 appearances for Millwall after rising through the ranks of their development squad. Adam Wharton, Michael Olise, and Eberechi Eze all made headlines while they were at Selhurst Park, and Palace has had great success bringing in players from the Championship.

Olise, who shares Esse’s function, left the Eagles in the summer to sign a £50 million contract with Bayern Munich. Glasner stated, “He’s a young player who will be a typical Crystal Palace signing.” Young players from the Championship have been a huge success for Crystal Palace. “We will work with Romain in the same way that they assist young players in their development.”

We’ll help him along the way and make sure he learns the difference between Premier League and Championship football as soon as possible. “I’m thrilled that he gives us an additional attack option.” Esse was observed by Eagles sporting director Dougie Freedman prior to the January window.

Before making the move, Esse contributed five goals in 24 Championship games for the Lions this season. “Dougie has known him for a longer time – we have a great scouting team,” Glasner continued. “After evaluating our performance, we might ask, ‘What profile could we add to the team that we don’t have?’” “We knew we had a player who could make fantastic runs in behind with Ismaila.” Playing into the box was not one of his strongest skills at first, but he greatly improved.

Whether it’s to JP, the other ten, or the wing-backs, Romain is a very smart player who can find the space in the pocket and then pass. “He can get better; his Championship numbers aren’t particularly impressive, but he’s only 19.” He has excellent character. Dougie is well familiar with him. “I spoke with him [Romain], and he’s paying attention because he wants to get better and learn.” “This character and having excellent talents are just what we were hoping for.

“To be a little bit critical, it took a little bit too long to get the signing done. But it is better at the middle of the transfer window than at the end.”