Ever since the CPFC2010 consortium saved Crystal Palace from administration, loaning players out has reaped few rewards despite much success with other tasks.
The development of Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has been handled woefully, with the Eagles failing to take advantage of his stunning 2022/23 campaign on loan at Charlton, where he netted 15 goals in 51 appearances.
Crystal Palace even rejected a £15m bid for the winger from an unnamed Championship side, and would be lucky to receive even half of that if a sale occurred now.
However, the treatment of young talents at Selhurst Park is starting to improve notably, with West Brom and Derby developing Danny Imray and David Ozoh respectively to a standard which should save Steve Parish a fortune in the summer transfer window.
Daichi Kamada and Nathaniel Clyne replacements may already be sorted in David Ozoh and Danny Imray
Both Daichi Kamada and Nathaniel Clyne are expected to depart Crystal Palace when they see their contracts expire at the end of the season.
Considering the pair are important players under Oliver Glasner, this would typically mean Parish needs to spend millions replacing them, although Ozoh and Imray are currently performing to a level which suggests they could well be in contention for first-team football in SE25 next term.
We have already explored how well Imray is faring on loan at West Brom, with the Baggies regularly hailing the right-back on their social media channels amid a fine run of form from the 22-year-old.
The man from Romford is very similar to Daniel Munoz in the way he frequently charges up the flanks, and his consistent performances in the Championship suggest he is more than capable of deputising for the Colombian next season. Clyne turns 36 next year, so a younger option is required.
In midfield, Ozoh is also starring at Derby after finally shaking off persistent injury problems.
The 20-year-old has managed to record 20 starts in the Championship so far this season, and like Imray, is regularly heralded on social media as he begins to develop into a fan favourite at Pride Park.
Ozoh has already proved he can handle himself in the Premier League too.
His stunning display in a 2-2 draw at Manchester City in December 2023 at the age of just 18 spoke volumes, and with his body now starting to keep up with his all-action style of play, we feel the England U18 international is capable of taking Kamada’s role in the squad next season.
Hopefully, Ozoh and Imray keep up their good work between now and the end of the campaign, and can impress Glasner’s replacement throughout pre-season.