Is Crystal Palace’s Christantus Uche starting to earn Oliver Glasner’s trust? | OneFootball

Christantus Uche finally seized his chance, scoring on his first Crystal Palace start in a comfortable UEFA Conference League win at Shelbourne and igniting jubilant celebrations. It offered a glimpse that he could be starting to earn Oliver Glasner’s trust.

According to NY Times, the forward struck once and helped create the second of Palace’s three goals, with the away end bouncing to a chant in his name to the tune of Tag Team’s 1993 hit.

Until now, Uche’s Palace career has largely been spent on the bench, with occasional Under-21 outings, after arriving on a season-long loan from Getafe. Glasner has not criticised him directly, but the implication has been that training levels and profile have limited his minutes. At 22, he has been tried in central midfield, as a No 10 and up front, with Glasner viewing him primarily as a No 10.

A lively cameo in the 2-1 win at Fulham, full of running and direct play, helped him into the side in Ireland. Glasner has insisted there are no gifts, players must show in training and from the bench, yet injuries to Jean-Philippe Mateta and the ongoing absence of Ismaila Sarr left few alternatives.

Uche led the line energetically and, while rusty at times, he met the assignment. He even spurned a late chance that would have been ruled offside, and there was little defensive work required, but his appetite to press and challenge was clear.

Post-match, Glasner said he trusts everyone in principle but that players must earn it, adding that Uche earned his start by showing up at Fulham and that it is on him to sustain it. He cautioned that one swallow does not make a summer, noted the small details required to play in this team, and called it a step in the right direction.

Left out of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations squad, which begins later this month, Uche now has an opportunity to channel that disappointment into his club form. Glasner is a demanding judge, so this cannot be a one-off.

Source: NY Times