Some eyebrows were raised at Crystal Palace after Christantus Uche was left out of the UEFA Conference League squad for the second half of the season.
The Nigeria international netted two goals in four European outings under Oliver Glasner in the first part of the campaign – only Ismaila Sarr has more for Crystal Palace with three.
However, following the arrivals of Brennan Johnson, Evann Guessand and Jorgen Strand Larsen, the 22-year-old was dropped as the Eagles submitted their squad list for the knockout phase.
A story from the Evening Standard now shares how Uche is feeling at Selhurst Park after the snub, and to our surprise, the Nigerian is said to be happy in SE25.
Christantus Uche currently ‘happy’ at Selhurst Park but is exploring all options
Despite Glasner harshly dumping Uche from the UEFA Conference League squad and handing him just seven minutes of action since the end of the transfer window, the man from Owerri surprisingly remains content at the club.
Crystal Palace have an option to buy the former Moralo star for £17.3m at the end of the season, although the attacker himself is able to have a say in the matter even if that purchase clause is triggered.
Uche – while currently ‘happy’ – is still said to want assurances over his playing time before committing his future to the Eagles, which is understandable.
The Crystal Palace No.12 also showed a degree of loyalty to the club in January, as the Evening Standard claim he turned down offers from elsewhere in preference of fighting for his place under Glasner.
Glasner clearly does not seem to fancy Uche – whose treatment has stunned those in Spain – but with the Austrian leaving SE25 when his contract expires this summer, the man on loan from Getafe presumably fancies his chances of having a better experience under a new manager next term.
Crystal Palace might be able to repeat Jean-Philippe Mateta trick with Christantus Uche
It is unclear whether this was a deliberate ploy from Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman, but Crystal Palace were able to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta from Mainz back in January 2022 after an initial loan for less than the fixed purchase option of €15m (£13m).
Roy Hodgson nor Patrick Vieira played the Frenchman much across the first 12 months of his 18-month loan from Mainz, and it seemed for all the world that he would be sent back to Germany as a devalued asset due to this lack of action.
However, six months before that 18-month loan ended, Crystal Palace managed to convince Mainz to agree to a permanent sale for a sum of £9m, with the German side presumably feeling their player had decreased in value during his time on the sidelines in south London and it was better to sell sooner rather than later.
Getafe may struggle to sell Uche – who was also dropped against Bournemouth – this summer for £17.3m due to a similar experience under Glasner, although that could in turn help us haggle the Spanish side down on that fee this summer if the new manager wants to keep him around.
