Pierre Sage says Crystal Palace targeting defensive 'leader', Wilfried Zaha unlikely to stay | OneFootball

Pierre Sage says Crystal Palace want a defensive leader before the window shuts and expects Adam Wharton to stay despite Manchester City’s enquiry. He added Wilfried Zaha is unlikely to remain. Palace visit Everton on Saturday.

Palace sold Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea for £52 million this summer and Marc Guehi left for City in January. Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has arrived on a free, but Sage still wants another centre-back. The Athletic reports City enquired about Wharton and Palace have made clear he is not for sale.

Talks have been held with Chelsea over Axel Disasi. Sage noted the noise but would not discuss a move, saying he needs an experienced Premier League leader and may wait for the right fit. He suggested one or two more arrivals.

Zaha has been training with the club but Sage said he does not think the forward will stay. Among summer recruits are right wing-backs Anan Khalaili and Oscar Mingueza, and the manager indicated Daniel Munoz is content. He noted Mingueza can operate on the left and inside.

Jean-Philippe Mateta, who turned down a new deal and saw a January move to AC Milan collapse, missed pre-season after France’s World Cup semi-final run but is available. Sage said he and Yeremy Pino were managed carefully last week. Romain Esse will leave.

Captain Dean Henderson will be assessed before travelling to the Hill Dickinson Stadium after an ankle injury against Freiburg.

Source: NY Times

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