Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has revealed that he has spoken personally with promising forward Uche to better understand his preferred position on the pitch. The young attacker, who joined the club’s academy two seasons ago, has been making waves with his impressive displays for the U21s and is now knocking on the door of first-team involvement. Glasner’s comments have provided fascinating insight into how the club plans to use the player in the coming months.
Speaking ahead of Palace’s weekend fixture, Glasner explained that communication has been key to helping the 19-year-old develop both confidence and clarity about his role in the squad. “I talked to him,” Glasner said. “For young players, it is important that they know we trust them and that we understand where they feel most comfortable. Uche told me very clearly that he enjoys playing as a striker but also likes to drift into wider areas to create space and combine with teammates. That’s very valuable information for me as a coach.”
Uche’s versatility has been one of his strongest assets, allowing him to feature in several roles across the front line. At youth level, he has been used as a lone striker, a second forward, and even as a winger on either flank. However, Glasner stressed that the player’s development must be carefully managed to ensure he reaches his full potential without being overburdened.
“It’s easy to move young players around too much,” Glasner explained. “But the priority has to be giving them a clear identity on the pitch. Uche has a very good instinct for finding space and timing his runs. He likes to play high up the field, near the box, where he can be dangerous. We will continue to work with him in training to make sure he understands what we expect from him in and out of possession.”
The Palace boss also praised Uche’s work ethic and willingness to learn, noting that the youngster has responded well to being included in several first-team sessions over the past month. “He’s very coachable,” Glasner added. “When you talk to him, he listens carefully and then applies what you say on the pitch. That’s exactly what you want from a player his age. If he continues with this attitude, he will get his chance.”
Fans have been eager to see more of Uche after his standout performances for the U21s, where he has consistently been among the top scorers. With Palace aiming to maintain their Premier League status and build for the future, integrating academy products remains a priority for the club. Glasner’s willingness to have open conversations with his young talents could be key in helping them make the step up successfully.
While it remains to be seen when Uche will make his competitive debut, Glasner’s comments suggest that the club sees him as a long-term asset. For now, the focus will be on polishing his skills, refining his positioning, and preparing him for the physical and mental demands of top-flight football. Palace supporters will surely watch closely as Uche continues his exciting rise through the ranks.
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