Crystal Palace will be disappointed to see how Matheus Franca is faring on loan at Vasco da Gama.
The South American hardly plays for the Brazilian outfit, with Renato Gaucho limiting the 21-year-old to just a couple of minutes at the end of matches when he does decide to involve the attacker.
Steve Parish undoubtedly would have wanted more from the man who cost Crystal Palace £26m back in August 2023 – and those at Selhurst Park look set to have a decision to make on Matheus Franca after he was overlooked by Pedrinho, the President of Vasco da Gama.
Vasco da Gama offer hint they have no plans to sign Matheus Franca permanently
Pedrinho spoke earlier this week about his recruitment plans for Vasco da Gama this summer, and strongly suggested he has little intention of signing the Brazilian from Crystal Palace permanently.
The President of the Brazilian outfit was quoted by Metropoles as saying: “All those players for whom we have the opportunity to activate a purchase option, those who are truly fitting within our budget, we will do so. That’s what we intend to do, always with financial responsibility, and that includes Cuiabano, Robert Renan and Cuesta.
“Our wish is that this happens. We are, obviously, already structuring the budget in the best way possible so that we can make this happen.”
With Pedrinho clearly stating that he wants to sign three loanees in Cuiabano, Renan and Cuesta, but making no mention of Franca – who struggles to stay fit – it very much feels like the man from Rio de Janeiro will be sent back to Crystal Palace this summer.
Matheus Franca in action for Crystal Palace during a friendly against Millwall
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
The President of Vasco da Gama also conceded that money is scarce regardless.
So, those at Selhurst Park are set to have a decision to make this summer. Franca still has a contract running until July 2028 in south London, so Crystal Palace must decide whether to keep him around and attempt to integrate him into the team, or find another loan move for the Brazil U20 international.
The matter is even more complex with Oliver Glasner set to depart at the end of the season, meaning Parish must find a new manager and gauge their thoughts on Franca – who Roy Hodgson publicly criticised – before making any final call.
Hopefully, the Brazilian can eventually find his feet in SE25 – as there have been clear flashes of brilliance in his handful of appearances in red and blue so far.