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Crystal Palace have enjoyed another historic season, winning their second-ever major trophy at the first time of asking, beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 to clinch the UEFA Conference League title.
This bookended their season nicely, as their first fixture of the season saw them defeat Liverpool on penalties to add their first ever Community Shield to their trophy cabinet.
As Richard Aponsah of Eagle-Eyed TV describes it, “The last 12 and 1/2 months has been probably the best any Palace fan could have asked for.”
A primary factor for these incredible times has been Austrian manager Oliver Glasner. The former Wolfsburg and Frankfurt boss’ time in South London was short in sweet, arriving in February 2024 and three trophies later, has departed this summer.
Like most Eagles fans, Richard has mixed feelings about his departure. He said, “I’m sad he’s leaving. Now, don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t ever a Glasner out person, but I was annoyed when he kind of went for the fans during that period.
“He’s gone out and said that the fans should be humble and remember where they came from. So, we were like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! We’ve been through two administrations pretty much. We were close to being gone on two different occasions. We know where we came from.
“I wish him all the best. I’m just worried he’s going to take some off his players with him!”
Further departures may burden the current Conference League champions this summer, with the likes of Jean-Philippe Mateta, Adam Wharton and Maxence Lacroix all touted for the exit door. Rich gave a surprising answer on who of the three they’d miss the most.
“Funny enough, of the three, funny enough, Max (Maxence) is the one I’m worried about the most. With Wharton and Mateta, I’m kind of expecting it. The Max one’s just come out of the blue, and you don’t want to lose a centre back of that calibre.”
After a stellar 25/26 campaign, his calibre is well stated. In the Premier Leaguehe averaged an impressive 10.9 defensive contributions and 7.35 interceptions per 90 in the Premier League.
Alongside him, fellow Frenchman Jaydee Canvot has enjoyed a strong first outing on English shores. While not the finished article, his impressive debut campaign has some strong comparisons being drawn to a Palace legend.
“I think there are those little errors in his game, but he’s only just turned 20. First year in the Prem, you know? But what he does on the ball, he drives forward- he’s such a very good defender.
“Don’t get me wrong, Mark (Guehi) was phenomenal for us. He was so good. But it’s almost as if we don’t miss him, and it sounds mad. But that’s how good Jaydee’s been.”
In front of them in midfield, Adam Wharton has continued to shine, despite the fact he’s been omitted from the England squad at this year’s World Cup.
Many profile the 22-year-old as a deep-lying six, sweeping up loose balls and supporting the back three. Rich believes it’s unfair to limit him to this type of player.
“When you think of like a defensive midfielder, you’re looking more like for a destroyer. And that’s not normally his game. He can put in a tackle, but you wouldn’t call him a destroyer.”
“He’s more a bit clever in the sense of like, he may be able to block passing lanes and be able to intercept play oppositions plays through that manner, as opposed to like going to put a crunching tackle in”
“The way he finished the season was phenomenal and the performance he put in a Conference League final winning player of the match was like, listen Tuchel, this is what you’re missing out on!”
The 22-year-old was not only crucial in Palace’s final win, but the tournament as a whole. On the way to the final, his side were able to scalp some of the competition’s most decorated sides, like Shaktar Donetsk and Fiorentina. Rich understood how crucial those wins were on the way to the final.
“To be able to put the level of performances we did against two renowned European outfits in Fiorentina and Shaktar Donetsk, who played Champions League football. The fact that they’ve we’ve done that and eventually put them to the sword, just showed like, wow, this is huge- we could win this.”
With their first ever Europa League campaign ahead, one may believe fan expectations may change. Rich had a much more sensible view.
“It will be exactly the same as it was the season just gone. Make sure you stay in the Premier League and give Europe a good go!”
With Pierre Sage seemingly on the way in, if he can translate his cultured brand of football from Lens to Palace, such expectations stand a good chance of not only being met, but potentially surpassed.
Thumbnail credit: ChristalPalace via Wikimedia Commons
