Crystal Palace’s new Wilfried Zaha might finish Mateta’s Selhurst Park profession

Crystal Palace are in a spot of hassle within the Premier League, having offered Marc Guehi to Manchester Metropolis in January and now misplaced Maxence Lacroix for the upcoming conflict in opposition to Tottenham Hotspur.

Lacroix was adjudged to have denied a transparent goalscoring alternative for Matheus Cunha at Previous Trafford, however there isn’t any denying that the Eagles have issues throughout the park, with bluntness in assault equally as regarding proper now.

Oliver Glasner‘s facet are a far cry from their giddy degree of 2025, however they’ve the potential to make it a title-winning end to the Austrian coach’s tenure.

Nonetheless, for the membership’s longer-term success, they might want to discover a new talisman, particularly with Jean-Philippe Mateta leaving the membership.

Why Palace nonetheless want a Mateta alternative

Mateta’s transfer to AC Milan was scuppered by a failed medical. The French ahead has since been sidelined by means of damage.

The 28-year-old has been one of many standout Premier League strikers of current years, however he is already been changed by Jorgen Strand Larsen and can certainly depart this summer time, having made his want for a contemporary problem completely clear.

Strand Larsen, 25, is a robust frontman, however Palace want extra up high, somebody dynamic and provoking.

Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze’s departures in recent times have ripped holes within the membership’s attacking material, however none extra so than Wilfried Zaha, who rose from the academy and secured his standing as their biggest participant.

Having misplaced so many key figures, it could be nice if chairman Steve Parish might make sure that that trick is repeated.

Simpler mentioned than accomplished, however Glasner may discover a proficient teenage ahead who can enable Mateta to go away, and he may even show to be the Londoners’ new model of Zaha.

Glasner might discover Palace’s new Zaha

Crystal Palace have lengthy ensured their youth-senior connection is powerful. Given the modifications which might be happening proper now, the subsequent starboy could be nicely acquired certainly.

And whereas Glasner’s leaving this summer time, he might discover a rousing new ahead in Ben Casey, with the 17-year-old’s performances already suggesting that he has what it takes to make his mark for the primary staff.

Already with two senior appearances to his identify (within the FA Cup and Convention League), Casey has additionally been named on the substitute’s bench twice within the Premier League.

Within the U18 Premier League, the versatile ahead has scored 12 targets and provided three assists from simply ten outings. He has additionally bagged three targets from as many video games within the FA Youth Cup.

Praised for his “terrifyingly good” motion and “unstoppable” attacking high quality at youth degree by journalist Bence Bocsak, Casey has all of the attributes to thrive on the highest degree – and he has the arrogance to match.

With such aptitude and swagger, Casey really might grow to be the membership’s new Zaha, whose technical capacity was supported by unflappable confidence.

Furthermore, an elevated function over the enterprise months of 2025/26 may even see him take Mateta’s place, easing the frustrations over the highly effective striker’s looming departure.

Palace have all the time boasted talismanic figures. Guehi, whereas a centre-half, had a repute to rival somebody like Zaha.

Strand Larsen is an attention-grabbing attacking point of interest, however he’ll want help when Mateta leaves, as is probably going, on the finish of the season. And in Casey, Selhurst Park might discover its newest homegrown hero to spearhead the subsequent chapter on the membership.

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