Crystal Palace’s 2024/25 campaign has been disastrous so far but an injection of youth could make all the difference.
Oliver Glasner will not quite believe how slow his Eagles have started the season after finishing last campaign in red-hot form and a record-equalling 10th-place finish.
Crystal Palace sits inside the relegation zone on a streak of seven games without a win, however, Opta have predicted the Eagles to survive.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 16 |  EvertonEverton | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 15 | -8 | 5 |
| 17 |  IpswichIpswich | 7 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 14 | -8 | 4 |
| 18 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 3 |
| 19 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 15 | -11 | 1 |
| 20 |  WolvesWolves | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 21 | -12 | 1 |
Due to this, Glasner needs to make some changes and a new formation therefore seems to be in planning for the Eagles.
Another way Glasner could shake things up is by dipping into the academy – and if he does there are three players who should be top of the list for a call-up.
Franco Umeh
The first name we think should be considered by Glasner is Franco Umeh.
The Irishman is among the Eagles most exciting talents and his versatility should sit well with Glasner – one position he is capable in is right back.
Due to this, Umeh could replace Daniel Munoz during his injury lay-off.
Umeh has found himself on the bench for Crystal Palace’s past five Premier League games and is clearly on the cusp of getting his first-team football chance.
The 19-year-old could either play as a right wing-back or even on the wings where there have been struggles this season.
Caleb Kporha
One player who looks to be very close to getting a first-team football chance is Caleb Kporha, with the wing-back another option to replace Munoz.
Kporha has been impressing Glasner in training recently which suggests that he may be in line for minutes at some point.
Despite this, the friendly against Ipswich saw Glasner abandon wing-backs altogether which does go against Kporha.
That being said, the Eagles could turn to Kporha as a standard full-back over the coming month as fixture congestion heats up.
Jesse Derry
The final name of the three we are thinking could be primed to make a move toward the first team is Jesse Derry.
The 17-year-old is possibly the biggest talent in the academy and frustratingly he is yet to be handed a professional contract – the promise of senior football could be enough to tempt him especially as Chelsea are eyeing Derry.
Glasner has had Derry in first-team training and will have had a good look at the wonderkid who has seven goals and an assist in six U18 games.
Derry is a superb talent and is ready to be slowly integrated. This is the one we would be very excited to see happen.
