Oliver Glasner only joined Crystal Palace in February – but the Austrian has already given out more chances to young talents than most of his predecessors.
The man from Salzburg has been responsible for Justin Devenny, Asher Agbinone and Caleb Kporha making their Premier League debuts in 2024, while also nurturing the 20-year-old Adam Wharton, who Manchester City admire, into a full England international.
It is a refreshing change from Roy Hodgson – who often spoke negatively about youngsters to the media – and Oliver Glasner could hand out a full Crystal Palace debut to one teenager in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash against Arsenal.
Oliver Glasner may hand Caleb Kporha his full Crystal Palace debut
Of the aforementioned trio, only Devenny has made a full debut – meaning he was named in the starting XI rather than introduced from the bench.
However, with Daniel Munoz suspended for Crystal Palace, an opportunity has opened up on that right flank for Kporha.
Of course, some may argue that Glasner will simply deploy the more experienced Nathaniel Clyne in place of the Colombian, although comments recently made by the 50-year-old suggest he could well opt for the 18-year-old instead.
Caleb Kporha of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Fulham FC at Selhurst Park on November 9, 2024 in Lond...
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
Speaking about Kporha back in November, the Crystal Palace boss said: “He’s doing really well in every training session. I don’t know when he was first with us, but they told me, we have this great wing-back in our academy.
“I said bring him – I want to see him, but he had been injured for so long and had a tough hamstring injury last year. He’s a great guy that I like.
“He showed (against Fulham) when we were 2-0 down and a player down, but he was still doing his thing. He had a cross going forward and a cross with the outside of his right foot. This is what I like. He’s always positive and a very good talent. He’s really very stable in his fitness. He will definitely get several more minutes this season.”
Now is the chance for Glasner to come good on those words by handing Kporha a full Crystal Palace debut at the Emirates Stadium.
Eddie Nketiah could haunt Arsenal
In addition to Kporha, we expect Eddie Nketiah to receive a start on Wednesday, having struggled to dislodge Jean-Philippe Mateta in Premier League action.
Eddie Nketiah and manager Oliver Glasner of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Newcastle United FC at Sel...
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
Not only for want of rotation, but Glasner may be keen to use the England international anyway due to his excellent record in the Carabao Cup.
Nketiah has impressively scored 12 goals in 16 Carabao Cup appearances throughout his career, so he could well return to haunt Arsenal in north London.
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