The Crystal Palace Academy has had some truly spectacular talent come through over the years, but the new generation might be the very best.
So far in his time as the manager of Crystal Palace, the usage of academy players has been seldom by Oliver Glasner.
First-team youngsters were sent on loan during the summer, such as David Ozoh who joined Derby and also Jesurun Rak-Sakyi who joined Sheffield United.
From the academy, few have been given a look in so far, with Franco Umeh and Caleb Kporha both on the bench numerous times this season – although neither has gotten to play despite the Eagles sitting 18th.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 18 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 3 |
However, there are a number of players in the academy right now who Glasner could be using, and even more who have bright futures at Selhurst Park – as they all look to be the next Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Wilfried Zaha.
Charlie Walker-Smith named as the Eagles’ best talent
Of the players who have bright futures, there are a handful in particular who are becoming increasingly well-known among fans.
Jesse Derry is destined to become a star, while Mofe Jemide looks the real deal at centre-back.
Meanwhile, the club lost the exciting Samuel Lusale to Manchester United.
However, it is actually 17-year-old Charlie Walker-Smith who has now been getting his flowers.
This comes in an article from The Guardian which named the best prospect born between September 1st 2007 and August 31st 2008, at every Premier League club.
The U18 central defender is also a Wales U17 international and has been part of successful Crystal Palace youth teams through the years.
Walker-Smith in an ideal world could end up forming an all-Copers Cope centre-back pairing with Jemide, which would be a dream come true for those in charge at the academy.
Who is Crystal Palace wonderkid Walker-Smith
Walker-Smith is a London-born central defender who has thus far opted to play for Wales.
Despite being naturally a centre-back, he is modern in his style of play, which gives him the versatility to also play at right-back.
Ball-playing and pure defensive solidity are two traits we can see from Walker-Smith as he looks to be a defender who will fit into football’s change of emphasis toward defenders being on the ball.
The July just passed saw Walker-Smith sign a scholarship deal with Crystal Palace which is excellent news for the Eagles as it ties him down for the foreseeable future.
