For Crystal Palace, their European success lasted 12 months.
Eberechi Eze moved to Arsenal after winning the FA Cup final, while captain Mark Gay almost moved to Liverpool, but the deal fell apart on deadline day as the Eagles could not find a replacement.
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As European demands mount – Thursday’s game is their 55th of the 2025-26 season – Palace’s small squad is starting to take its toll, having endured a 12-game winless run since December.
In January, Crystal Palace’s FA Cup defense ended with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of sixth-tier Macclesfield Town in the third round. Later that month, Oliver Glasner announced his plans to leave, followed by news of a move to Manchester City for England centre-back Gueye.
Glasner later said he felt his team had been “completely abandoned” by Palace hierarchy, comments many expected would lead to an immediate exit.
The most important thing is that if there is no medical failure, the main forward Jean-Philippe Mateta will move to AC Milan in January.
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Despite all the chaos and drama, Glasner is still in charge and could lead them to another trophy and more magical moments.
“We want to end the season on a perfect note — and we can do that,” Glasner said.
“I said to the players, ‘Don’t do anything for me, do it for yourselves, for the club, for the fans’. Winning La Liga means Palace will be in Europe again next season.”
“They’ve had a taste of the FA Cup and the Community Shield and they want honey again. They’re not going to just eat avocado. They want something sweeter.”
