Crystal Palace have now released footage of Eddie Nketiah’s first day – and there was a very interesting detail in the background.
Eagle eyed Crystal Palace fans were able to spot a screen in the background of a room inside the Copers Cope training ground, which read WEDNESDAY 28TH AUGUST and the schedule under Oliver Glasner for that day.
Supporters could also hear the new Crystal Palace No.9 complimenting Will Hughes on his performance against Norwich “yesterday” – the Carabao Cup win over the Canaries took place on Tuesday 27th August.
So, seeing as Eddie Nketiah was signed by Crystal Palace long before last Friday’s 11pm transfer deadline, why did Glasner not use him against Chelsea? Let’s take a look at some potential explanations…
Why Eddie Nketiah did not play against Chelsea
Glasner told the media that Nketiah was not registered in time to take part in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, although the England international was all kitted out in Crystal Palace training gear in the video, so it certainly seems like the deal went through with plenty of time.
In our view, we believe the Austrian simply did not want to use his £25m signing without initially allowing him a full week of training, to acclimatise to the new tactical setup and gel with his teammates.
Mikel Arteta had also left Nketiah out of Arsenal’s two Premier League games so far this season – to ensure that an injury did not scupper his move away – so the striker is lacking match fitness.
It has also been suggested that Odsonne Edouard needed to seal his loan move to Leicester City before Nketiah could officially be registered in Crystal Palace’s Premier League squad.
Ultimately, the current international break represents an ideal time for Glasner to bed the man from Lewisham into his squad, as well as the other deadline day arrivals in Maxence Lacroix, Trevoh Chalobah and Matt Turner.
Crystal Palace could change formation
Many have wondered where Nketiah will fit into Glasner’s starting XI, seeing as the 50-year-old typically uses two attacking midfielders behind one striker.
However, we believe the man from Salzburg could opt to tweak that system slightly, moving to a shape involving just one No.10 in Eberechi Eze, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Nketiah leading the line.
If it happens, Daichi Kamada is perhaps most likely to be benched, a decision Glasner has actually already made in replacing the Japan international with Edouard for the 2-0 defeat against West Ham.
