Crystal Palace produced a superb comeback to draw 2-2 against champions Manchester City on Saturday, and summer signing Matheus Franca looked impressive.
Franca arrived for a substantial fee this summer, but has hardly been given a chance by Roy Hodgson, with the Brazilian barely featuring even off the bench.
A midfield injury crisis, which saw Jefferson Lerma, Cheick Doucoure and Eberechi Eze absent from the starting XI, meant that there were rare opportunities for the younger players in the squad, and David Ozoh was brilliant off the bench.
Franca also put in a very promising display, and Hodgson has now praised the 19-year-old.
Roy Hodgson reveals Matheus Franca conversation
Speaking after the game, Hodgson hailed the teenager, and revealed what he said to him in the build-up to the match.
“The ones that came on in the end, in particular Franca… he had a very good cameo,” he stated.
“I’ve been expecting that. I’ve said to him on many occasions ‘when you get your chance ‘you’ll be okay’…
“Before that, we were reliant on [Jeff] Schlupp and Jaïro Riedewald, who did an excellent job for us.”
Should Matheus Franca be given more chances?
The attacking midfielder arrived for a significant outlay, and took Wilfried Zaha’s shirt number.
He has not been given a proper chance, as he is yet to start a game for Palace since his arrival in the summer.
Given Palace’s injury crisis, Franca could potentially start in a central midfield role, but even if he does not, he deserves more opportunities than he is currently receiving.
His display at City showed a glimpse into what he is capable of, and building upon that form could aid his development further as he aims to break into the side.
