Former Getafe manager Cosmin Contra has defended the club selling Christantus Uche to Crystal Palace and hit back at people saying the player has “just went anywhere”.
[Marca cover comments](https://amp.marca.com/radio/2025/09/11/cosmin-pone-valor-getafe-alza-voz-laliga-reglas-son-estrictas-liga-espanola-debilitando.html) from the manager today from an interview with Radio Marca, in which he discusses various topics, including Uche’s deadline day exit.
The midfielder was linked with a move away from the Spanish club throughout the summer and initially appeared destined for Wolverhampton Wanderers, before he and his agent turned that down.
He eventually ended up at Crystal Palace, signing on loan in a deal that will be made permanent for €17.5m next summer.
There has been some disappointment at the Spanish club about the deal, with Uche having established himself as a key player during his solitary season with them.
Criticism has also been aimed at Uche, with some believing he only joined Crystal Palace as they were the only option available to him late in the window.
Getafe, for their part, have insisted that they had to sell Uche to help balance their beleaguered finances and balance the books. Now Contra has had his say, defending the club and Uche for the Crystal Palace deal.
“You can’t face a season with 12 or 13 first-team players. It was the only option to sign players and have a larger squad,” he said.
“Let’s not say that Uche just went anywhere: he’s going to the Premier League, to a team that plays in Europe and with a higher salary. It’s a step forward for him and it has helped the club.”