Three Crystal Palace youngsters set for Conference League chance against KuPS | OneFootball

Oliver Glasner expected to put his faith in youth for clash with Finnish opponents at Selhurst Park amid hectic fixture schedule

A number of academy players have trained with the first team this week in preparation for the visit of the Finnish side to Selhurst Park, with Glasner admitting that none of the players who start against KuPS will do so against Leeds in the Premier League this weekend.

Dean Benamar, Benji Casey, George King, Mofe Jemide, Kaden Rodney and Joel Drakes-Thomas have all been called up, while 15-year-old goalkeeper Lucca Benetton has also been pictured training with the first team this week.

Palace sit just outside the automatic qualification places for the knockout phase of the Conference League, but despite needing a victory against KuPS, Glasner is expected to put his faith in youth, while also handing rare minutes to players on the fringes of the first team.

Standard Sport takes a closer look at three academy talents who could get their chance tonight...

Benji Casey

Striker Casey has been in blistering form for Palace’s youth teams, netting 15 goals in 20 appearances for the Under-21s and U18s so far this term.

The 17-year-old was brought off the bench against Shelbourne in the last Conference League match and could be in line for more minutes as Palace look to manage Jean-Philippe Mateta’s fitness.

Reflecting on his senior debut, Casey revealed he had learned a lot from training with Eddie Nketiah and Christantus Uche.

"I saw Eddie Nketiah's finishing in training – he’s very good, a great poacher,” he said. “The same with Uche and he showed it with his performance (against Shelbourne). They are all great players to work with and look at."

Casey is a threat running in behind and has an eye for goal, something Palace have lacked this season.

The teenager is unlikely to start against KuPS, with Nketiah in line to replace Mateta up front.

However, it is clear that Glasner trusts Casey and could again look to give him more senior experience.

Joel Drakes-Thomas

At just 16 years old, Drakes-Thomas would become the youngest Englishman to make his Conference League debut if he were to play against KuPS, surpassing Chelsea’s Reggie Walsh by a matter of days.

Drakes-Thomas is highly regarded by Palace, and his development has been fast-tracked as the club tries to secure his long-term future.

Predominantly an attacking midfielder during his time in the academy, Drakes-Thomas has recently been moulded into a right wing-back in an attempt to help him make the step up to Glasner’s 3-4-2-1 formation.

High hopes: Joel Drakes-Thomas is a youth international with England

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The England youth international, who was described as a wing-back by Glasner, has impressed for Palace’s U21s with his attacking instincts and crossing ability.

Drakes-Thomas is eligible to sign his first professional contract next summer, and Palace are keen to fend off interest in the youngster by offering him a pathway through to the first team.

He was an unused substitute against Shelbourne, but could be in line for minutes with Daniel Munoz out until the New Year following knee surgery, and Nathaniel Clyne still building up his match fitness after starting Palace’s last two league games.

Kaden Rodney

Rodney has been in and around Palace’s first team since making his senior debut under Patrick Vieira in 2022.

The 21-year-old is by some distance the most experienced academy player at Selhurst Park and has made a club-record 79 appearances for their U21 team.

Despite making his senior debut at left-back, the versatile Rodney is predominantly a midfielder and can also play at centre-back and right-back.

Following Daichi Kamada’s hamstring injury, Glasner has been left short of options in midfield.

Tidy and reliable in and out of possession, Rodney would provide some much-needed experience to what is set to be a very young starting lineup.