Crystal Palace will feel that this season, the loan market has been used very well despite the first-team struggles.
Oliver Glasner may have his Eagles sitting 18th in the Premier League right now, but he will be delighted with how the youngsters out on loan are developing.
| 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 |
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has impressed at Sheffield United, even making a team of the week. Meanwhile, David Ozoh also caught the eye prior to his injury at Derby.
Also out on loan has been goalkeeping duo Joe Whitworth and Owen Goodman – with both being immaculate to date.
Goodman has been great, with five clean sheets in eight games so far which leads League Two – with an impressive save percentage of 78.3% – however, Whitworth has potentially been even better.
Joe Whitworth a history maker for Exeter
Of all the loanees Crystal Palace sent out in the summer, arguably the best and most consistent performer has been Whitworth.
The Eagles’ on-loan 20-year-old goalkeeper was at the centre of Exeter’s 2-0 win over Shrewsbury, being named man of the match in the process with five saves in the process.
This was the sixth successive clean sheet that Crystal Palace’s young goalkeeper has dragged his club to, setting a brand new club record for consecutive clean sheets.
After 10 games this season in League One, Whitworth has kept seven clean sheets and conceded just six goals to date this season.
Following the game against Shrewsbury, Exeter manager Gary Caldwell waxed lyrical about Whitworth.
“Because we’ve got a good goalie. Kev Miller deserves a lot of credit for not only finding him but working with him. It’s [the clean sheet record] is largely down to Joe’s work.”
To be so impressive so quickly in senior football is exciting for those in charge of the academy at Copers Cope, but it also makes one decision obvious for both Glasner and Dougie Freedman.
READ MORE: Who is Dougie Freedman? The Crystal Palace Sporting Director linked with Manchester United switch
Crystal Palace’s Matt Turner decision should already be made
With Whitworth shining for his loan club, a place in the Crystal Palace first-team is closer than ever for the Eagles starlet.
His chance could even come in 2025 after the conclusion of his – so far – successful loan in the EFL, with a spot as Dean Henderson’s back-up on the table next season.
READ MORE: Meet Dean Henderson, Crystal Palace’s ‘insane’ number one goalkeeper who came from Manchester United
Whitworth’s confidence is like that of Henderson, and that can be seen in how brave he is on the ball.
This should bode well for the young goalkeeper to replace Matt Turner who will be departing on loan after the 2024/25 season – with this latest performance a clear message to Glasner.
Whitworth getting cup minutes to ease him into playing for a top-flight team would be wise and should then see him eventually become the No.1 in an ideal world at least.
