Crystal Palace fringe hopefuls look to impress Pierre Sage in pre-season | OneFootball

According to NY Times, Pierre Sage’s first pre-season at Crystal Palace has opened the door for loanees and long-term absentees to stake a claim. Preparations began with a 5-1 win at Swindon Town, while 12 players are away at the World Cup, half of them into at least the quarter-finals.

Palace visit Bromley on Saturday, then head to Italy for the Como Cup, where three 45-minute matches will sharpen intensity ahead of the Premier League and Europa League. Impressing there could shift Sage’s thinking on several futures.

Cheick Doucoure, 26, has lost much of the past two years to an Achilles rupture and a knee meniscus tear, but returned for the under-21s in March and played 45 minutes at Swindon. With Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada first choice, he may become important depth for a campaign that includes at least eight Europa League games.

Eddie Nketiah, 27, was hampered by recurring hamstring issues last season, limiting him to 19 appearances and four goals and scuppering a possible move to West Ham United. Dislodging Jean-Philippe Mateta or Jorgen Strand Larsen looks difficult, but two goals at Swindon might help reset confidence despite the friendly’s context.

Matheus Franca, 22, hit a hat-trick against Swindon, a boost after a loan at Vasco da Gama that brought 27 appearances, 654 minutes and one goal, some from central midfield. Two years on from joining, he must now kickstart his Palace career or face another move.

David Ozoh, 22, shone on loan at Derby County with 35 appearances, missing time only for a thigh injury. If he catches Sage’s eye, he could act as back-up in the deeper role, though any new midfield signing may change that calculus.

Romain Esse, 21, struggled for minutes under Oliver Glasner and did not convince at Coventry City, where he started nine times after January. Sage’s preference for quicker switches to wide No 10s may suit him, and Ismaila Sarr’s post-World Cup absence opens a window at the Como Cup.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, 23, split 29 outings between Caykur Rizespor in Türkiye and Stoke City, scoring seven. Now a Ghana international, and with Palace ready to sell a year ago, he might be on his final audition to become a viable squad option.

Danny Imray, 22, excelled across 33 games at Blackpool and West Bromwich Albion, playing the full 90 in the final 11 to help secure Championship status. Expected to be loaned again, the attack-minded wing-back could still force his way into Sage’s thoughts.

Source: NY Times