Crystal Palace

Alex Howell
Football reporter

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The news Jean-Philippe Mateta has told Crystal Palace he wants to leave will be a blow, but not a surprise to supporters of the club.

Mateta, since his remarkable upturn in form over the past 18 months, has always made clear his desire to play at the highest level and has aims of playing in the Champions League and representing France at the World Cup.

The 29-year-old's World Cup dream, one that seemed distant before Oliver Glasner's arrival at the club, is one that can be achieved now after making his senior debut in October while the frontman has scored in his last two appearances for Les Bleus.

Sources with knowledge of Mateta's situation say the player is disappointed with the club's attitude because it has not kept its promises in terms of a new contract, recruitment and ambition, with the forward keen on a new challenge.

The timing compounds a difficult period at Selhurst Park given Marc Guehi's departure, Glasner's forthcoming exit and the FA Cup embarrassment.

Palace are also winless in 10 matches and are still without key right wing back Daniel Munoz, who is injured, while Daichi Kamada is also on the treatment table.

Ismaila Sarr, a key forward alongside Mateta in the Eagles attack, has missed nine games while he has been helping Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations.

Mateta himself is playing through a knee injury but his track record of scoring in the Premier League will make him an attractive option to clubs.

Palace made a club record signing in bringing Brennan Johnson to south London early in January from Tottenham but will need to be active before the transfer window closes on 2 February if they are to turn around what has been a challenging start to the year.

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It's been a challenging couple of weeks for Crystal Palace fans.

With Jean-Philippe Mateta telling the club he wants to leave amid interest from Juventus and Aston Villa, and Oliver Glasner confirming Palace are prepared to listen to offers with 18 months left on the striker's deal, uncertainty is growing at Selhurst Park.

Add to that the departure club captain Marc Guehi this month, Glasner's public criticism of the club's recruitment strategy and his decision to leave at the end of the season, and it feels like several long-simmering issues are now coming to the surface.

So, how are you feeling about where the club is right now?

Get in touch with your views here

Ellie Killick
Fan writer

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From lifting the FA Cup with his club to winning the Africa Cup of Nations with his country, the past year has been a fairytale for Ismaila Sarr.

After joining Crystal Palace in 2024 as a replacement for Michael Olise, Sarr endured a slow start, but has since become a fundamental part of Palace's success.

It was always going to be a tough ask to fill the boots of arguably the best player to ever wear a Palace shirt, but once the Senegalese winger settled, his importance became clear.

Since signing he has picked up 20 goals, three of which proved pivotal in our FA Cup run, as well as the equaliser against Liverpool in the Community Shield.

If he hasn't been keeping up with the events back home while away, it's safe to say he's in for a shock! His absence, through a combination of injury and international duty, has had a clear impact.

Since his last appearance in December, Palace haven't won a single league game, have scored just three league goals and have looked totally lacklustre in the final third. We've also failed to outright qualify for the Conference League and got knocked out of the FA Cup during that period.

So, is Sarr the spark Palace have been missing?

It would be naive to say one player alone could fix the woes the club is currently facing at the moment, but returning to the side on a high of winning a major international tournament could be exactly what Palace need.

His energy, directness and goal threat have been sorely missed and hopefully his return may provide a much-needed lift at a difficult time.

Find more from Ellie Killick at Eagle Eye View, external

Sometimes, in this age of playing through the lines and technical proficiency, there remains a time when you just have to put your foot (or head) through it.

There are those defenders fans (and players) rely on to do just that.

Step forward Joachim Andersen and Virgil van Dijk, who stand in the way of attacks and take no nonsense, sending it away with head, foot or body in the name of getting the job done.

The two top the charts for successful clearances this season, with shoutouts going to a supporting cast of proper defenders.

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has been the subject of interest from Aston Villa, with the Eagles exploring a move for Villa's Ivory Coast forward Evann Guessand, 24. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Coventry City boss Frank Lampard is likely to be a strong contender to replace Oliver Glasner at Selhurst Park, with Palace also interested in Getafe's Jose Bordalas and Rayo Vallecano's Inigo Perez. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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For much of the past year, Andoni Iraola's future has been a hot topic on the south coast.

Last April Bournemouth owner Bill Foley flew to England to hold talks with Iraola over a new contract. But no news has been forthcoming at any point.

There are varying degrees of interest from a number of clubs in Iraola heading into the summer.

Sources claim Crystal Palace are among those keeping abreast of Iraola's situation heading into next season as they look to find Oliver Glasner's successor.

There will be those who say Iraola has earned the right to take charge of a traditionally bigger club than Palace.

But with suitable assurances over shaping the squad with his imprint, perhaps Iraola would see value in a move to south London.

Speak to those who have worked with Iraola and they describe a man too astute to simply go after the 'biggest' opportunity that may come his way.

Stability, coupled with a directive to build a team in his mould, are said to be far more important factors for Iraola than prestige.

It is likely that Iraola and his advisers are keeping their ears to the ground for what vacancies could be on the horizon.

Of course, the managerial market is gearing up to be extremely competitive heading into next season.

Xabi Alonso, Enzo Maresca and Ruben Amorim to name just three are currently out of work and available.

Glasner has confirmed he is leaving Palace at the end of the season. Thomas Frank, given his plight at Tottenham, could be available.

Then there are international managers Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Carlo Ancelotti and Julian Nagelsmann, who could also be out of work after the World Cup.

Indeed, the availability of so many top managers could benefit any plans Bournemouth have of trying to extend Iraola's contract into another season.

But you would imagine Iraola will be asking himself whether he has taken Bournemouth as far as he can before making a decision on his future at the Vitality.

Read more on Iraola's future

What would Crystal Palace do if Oliver Glasner were to leave before the end of the season?

Journalist Rory Times describes the situation as "really sad", while former Eagles winger Andros Townsend doesn't think Glasner needs to leave immediately.

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Alex Pewter
Fan writer

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In the aftermath of the Sunderland match and yet another explosive news conference, my overriding sentiment was that everyone needed to take a collective breath and regain some composure or perspective.

Football, as both a fandom and industry, is irrational to its core at the best of times. A multi-billion pound melodrama, centred around 90 minutes of actual action.

For those fortunate, or perhaps mad, enough to be travelling the length of the country on a Saturday morning, this already felt like a knife-edge fixture. Would victory, unlikely or not, mitigate the pain of losing Marc Guehi? With defeat, would it descend into further chaos?

Wiser heads know to never let the actual football get in the way of a good day out, even if that needed repeating at full-time at the Stadium of Light.

With managers, they can either leave a hero, or stay long enough that they become the villain. The latter appears to be the path that Oliver Glasner is venturing down for some, intentionally or not - and far sooner than anyone could have expected.

The question is now whether we are into a period of reconciliation, or whether the powers that be at Crystal Palace are waiting to see if the manager will jump without any push being necessary.

Neither Glasner nor Steve Parish are blameless in this dispute. In truth, this disagreement has been steadily building for some time.

Fans also already know the key talking points, they too would like an extra centre-forward and cover at right wing-back. However, having it aired so publicly may not increase pressure on the board so much as build the levels of toxicity surrounding everything.

There is still a route to the end of the season with Glasner as manager. There is business that could get done before February. The issue is, after a few very challenging days, that pathway feels like threading the eye of a needle.

Is the Eagles boss becoming the villain?

Make your choice here

Find more from Alex Pewter at FYP podcast, external

Former England captain Wayne Rooney has questioned whether Oliver Glasner can realistically continue as Crystal Palace manager following a turbulent period at Selhurst Park, suggesting the situation has become damaging for both the club and the players.

After a 2-1 defeat by Sunderland, Glasner said that he felt "abandoned" by the club after they agreed a deal to sell captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City 24 hours earlier. Palace are 13th in the Premier League, with their last league win coming on 7 December against Fulham.

Speaking about Glasner's post-match comments on The Wayne Rooney Show, Manchester United's record scorer suggested that mixed messaging around departures and Glasner's future risks unsettling the squad, adding to instability at a time when clarity and leadership are most needed.

"I don't see how he continues. For me, it's a bit of both really. I do feel for him because I was at the semi-final and the final last season, and the atmosphere and the feeling around Crystal Palace was incredible," said Rooney.

"Obviously, they lost [Eberechi] Eze in the summer. Marc Guehi stayed, but I think everyone knew he was probably going to leave in January. But then Glasner came out and said he's agreed to leave in October...

"So I'd like to know: did Brennan Johnson get told he was leaving when he signed for Crystal Palace? Did his agent get told? Because maybe that changes things for that player. So that's one question.

"He also came out and said he'd been abandoned and had to tell the players that the captain was leaving the day before a game, but he'll do everything to support the players.

"Then he comes out and tells the players he's leaving. It's all strange and I think he's angling to try to get himself out of the club and try to get paid up. If he feels that bad, that let down and that the club have abandoned him and his players, then walk."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

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Crystal Palace fan Dan Cook believes it is in the club's best interest to sack Oliver Glasner following Saturday's headline-grabbing post-match interview.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Cook said: "I would love for the club to pull the trigger at this point. I don't think it's going to be a cordial relationship again.

"I'm not sure how we can move forward from it.

"He even said he looked at his bench against Sunderland and felt like there was no one he could bring on. If we're talking about man-management then he's alienated a whole group with his comment there.

"The hierarchy has decided not to sack him in the immediate aftermath, which feels like it's because discussions are ongoing about a new manager coming in during the summer and talks would have to be accelerated if they're needed mid-season.

"There was hope we could just push through this season, but when you have a manager hitting the nuclear button, it makes it incredibly difficult for us to keep the morale up."

Can Oliver Glasner continue at Crystal Palace after his claim that his squad "are being abandoned completely" by the club's hierarchy?

Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker does not believe he can and expects Glasner to be sacked after such a public outburst against the board.

"He has created an atmosphere now that can't go back so I think they have to make the change," said Reo-Coker on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "His stock, regardless, will be very high.

"Whether the way he is going about it is palatable is more of a discussion.

"It is frustration that has boiled over and it shouldn't come as a surprise as he talked about the size and strength of their squad at the beginning of the season.

"If he had enough of a squad to compete then he probably would have kept his mouth shut. But he has put himself in a difficult position and Crystal Palace in a difficult position. They have to make a decision.

"That relationship is broken. You can't have your manager saying stuff like that in the public domain because how are the players now looking at him in the dressing room?

"Are they going to play for someone who has already said he's leaving at the end of the season and moaned about Marc Guehi leaving?

"They used to be a selling club as that was their place in the food chain, but now they want that to start to keep players and push for more success.

"I don't think this means Glasner has tarnished his reputation either because he is in a difficult position."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Crystal Palace have turned down Juventus' initial approach for striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

Meanwhile, Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is on Manchester United's list of targets for the summer. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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You have been reacting to Crystal Palace's 2-1 defeat by Sunderland and Oliver Glasner's comment that he feels "abandoned" by the club hierarchy.

Here are some of your comments:

Mark: After waiting so long for success, the board has taken the ground out from under Glasner for the past eight months. What are they doing? It can't be any clearer - when you get European football you have to invest to go forward. The Palace board looks set to score the biggest own goal in football history - abandon the manager and players who brought you the best year ever. I can't believe what I'm seeing. That new main stand is irrelevant if the team on the pitch isn't supported.

Les: Absolutely atrocious. No fight. No energy. No subs. No captain and manager on the way out. Where do they go from here? Glasner should be sacked now. You cannot criticise the board in public the way he has and not expect repercussions.

Rob: The talking point isn't about the game but Glasner speaking out and, like many, I'm glad he has, but I can't see him being at Palace come Monday lunchtime...

Matt: You're not committed. Don't stay till the end of the season - get out of our club.

Ron: I feel very sorry for the Palace squad, playing for a manager who doesn't want to be there and a board only interested in money. Glasner should go now - how can he get a depleted team motivated? Having supported the club for 76 years, I also feel let down. I think they played the best they could under the dire circumstances they find themselves in.

Ian: Anyone thinking of employing Glasner, beware. He's great for a while, but once he decides to move on, he blames everyone else and wrecks morale. Palace should sack him now. He's gone from being a massive asset to a massive problem.

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Speaking after Crystal Palace's limp defeat at the Stadium of Light, former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given said Oliver Glasner's outburst could bring his tenure to an abrupt end.

"I'll be surprised if he sees Monday morning, never mind the end of the season," Given told BBC Match of the Day.

"Abandoned is one of the strongest words you can use. I have never seen a manager interview like that before. You could see he was raging with the powers that be at the football club."

Ex-Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha agreed, saying Saturday's loss may have been the final straw for the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss.

"It seems like he has reached breaking point," Onuoha told Final Score.

"At times this year, he has appeared quite calm. That was a tough lesson, to be honest."

Ex-England striker Alan Shearer, added on Match of the Day: "Very much like Enzo Maresca and Ruben Amorim before him, I would be really surprised if he is still Crystal Palace manager next weekend.

"For him to come out and say that and go against his bosses, there is only ever going to be one outcome."

Read more analysis on what Glasner said after the defeat by Sunderland here

Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

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Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the 2-1 defeat by Sunderland: "I've seen a team that is leaving their heart on the pitch. As you have seen we couldn't make a sub, we had no one on the bench. I feel we are being abandoned completely. Because I can't play many players. They did everything they could and this has been going on for weeks and months now. And we have 12, 13 players from the squad available and we feel no support.

"The worst thing is selling our captain one day before playing a Premier League game. We are preparing, it's the first week we are training since September, and then we are selling our captain one day before a game. So I have no understanding of this. I have always kept my mouth, but I can't because I have to defend these players.

"Yes we get under pressure here and we are unlucky. But again, you can't react, we can't help them, it makes it really tough tonight."

Who specifically has abandoned Crystal Palace? "It's pretty clear, yeah? It's pretty clear. Again, I didn't sell anyone. If you get your heart torn out twice this season, one day before a game, it was with Eze in summer, it was with Guehi now, you know? What should I tell the players all the time? What should I tell them?

"And then I see the performance today for 50, 60 minutes, today it was not easy with all the circumstances going here with 12 players from the squad, and yes then you have 15, 20 minutes when you are under pressure, you concede the goal, I look at the bench, I can't react, just kids on the bench, and this has not happened yesterday, this is weeks ago. That's why I'm really frustrated today."

Have you told the board your frustrations? "Of course they know it, we're talking all the time. But again, talk does not win the game."

On whether he would leave this month: "No, never, I would never. I will go with this group of players until the end. I have so much respect for their character. I see their disappointed and I know how hard they are working, I see how hard they are fighting at the end. Never, no chance."

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Before Saturday's game at Sunderland, Oliver Glasner said he wanted Crystal Palace to show the same energy and spirit they had displayed in training on Friday - the day he informed his players he will leave at the end of the campaign.

Palace, who were without outgoing club captain Marc Guehi at the Stadium of Light, certainly competed well in the first half and fashioned the better opportunities before the interval, but a combination of Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs and the offside flag prevented them from leading at half-time.

Jean-Philippe Mateta - who has also been linked with a move away from Palace this month - was thwarted in a one-on-one with Roefs after latching on to a through-ball from Pino, who had intercepted a stray pass from Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka.

Mateta was denied again by Roefs moments later - although the linesman's flag was eventually raised for offside - before having a magnificent half-volley from the edge of the penalty area disallowed, again for offside.

Pino's eye-catching finish did put Palace in front on the half-hour mark, but it proved to be the last of the visitors' two efforts on target.

Sunderland raised their game after restoring parity but despite creating little in the final third in the second half, Brobbey's late winner was no less than they deserved.

With no win in their last 10 in all competitions - a run that includes their embarrassing FA Cup exit at the hands of sixth-tier Macclesfield - Palace have their work cut out to ensure Glasner's final campaign in charge doesn't end in disappointment.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Sunderland's performance

What did you make of Crystal Palace's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Regis Le Bris makes four changes to the Sunderland team that started their FA Cup third-round tie at Everton.

Reinildo makes his first start for the club since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, with Omar Alderete, Dan Ballard and Brian Brobbey also coming in.

Dennis Cirkin, Luke O'Nien, Simon Adingra and Eliezer Mayenda drop to the bench.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo, Le Fee, Xhaka, Sadiki, Mundle, Brobbey

Subs: Patterson, Cirkin, Neil, Geertruida, Rigg, Mayenda, O'Nien, Isidor, Adingra

Oliver Glasner makes two changes to the Crystal Palace team that drew with Aston Villa in their last Premier League game.

Jefferson Lerma returns after suffering a head injury against Newcastle two weeks ago, while Chris Richards is also restored to the side.

Jaydee Canvot is named on the bench, with Marc Guehi unavailable as he finalises a move to Manchester City.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Lerma, Lacroix, Richards, Devenny, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell, Johnson, Pino, Mateta

Subs: Matthews, Benitez, Uche, Clyne, Canvot, Sosa, Imray, Riad, Drakes-Thomas