Roy Hodgson is under serious pressure at Crystal Palace, and a long-term injury to Michael Olise has only made his job harder.
Hodgson has been criticised for failing to give opportunities to some of the young talents within the Crystal Palace squad, as well as rushing Olise back from injury unnecessarily and causing his fresh problem.
However, it now appears that he could be set to finally give more chances to some of the young talents within the Crystal Palace squad, with his hand forced as a result of injuries to Olise and Eberechi Eze, who is set to miss the next few games.
Hodgson hints at opportunities for Matheus Franca and Naouirou Ahamada
Speaking in a press conference, Hodgson claimed that Matheus Franca and Naouirou Ahamada could now be set for more opportunities.
“Our squad is getting so much smaller and they play in the area where we are missing players,” Hodgson stated.
“Both [Ahamada and França] have benefitted from time here. “They are understanding more what we are trying to do and their game is constantly improving. Now for them, when they get a chance, they have to really grasp that.
“França has had more chances than Ahamada in actual fact, but when they have come on in recent games they have been sharp, they have been lively and they have shown they understand what we are trying to do.
“There is no reason to suggest that they are not closer to the team.”
Will Hodgson give Ahamada and Franca opportunities?
Many Palace fans will be sceptical that Hodgson is actually ready to give both players more game time despite the injuries within the squad, given how much he ignored them before.
Both players could inject some fresh energy into the team, and Franca could replace some of Olise’s creativity from the wing.
Franca typically played in central attacking midfield or on the left wing in Brazil prior to his move, but could be an option on the right in Olise’s absence.
With Eze and Marc Guehi out, new signing Adam Wharton could come into midfield, with Chris Richards dropping into the back line, with Ahamada coming into the middle alongside the former Blackburn star.
Whilst this may be wishful thinking, there are very few alternatives for Hodgson right now, and the team may benefit from the two lesser-seen players gaining rare chances to shine.
