One young talent at Crystal Palace could now be promoted into the senior setup under Oliver Glasner next season.
The Eagles have a rich history of promoting academy graduates, with the likes of Victor Moses, Jonny Williams, Wilfried Zaha, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrick Mitchell breaking through over the years.
Now, another gem could get his chance to become a star at Crystal Palace…
Franco Umeh could be promoted by Oliver Glasner
A story from Alan Nixon now claims that Franco Umeh could take up a spot in Oliver Glasner‘s squad next season, if Jesurun Rak-Sakyi departs on loan as expected.
The respected journalist writes that a vast array of Championship sides are looking to sign the Crystal Palace No.49 on loan this summer, with Hull City the latest club to have made an offer.
Nixon adds that Crystal Palace will let Rak-Sakyi speak to clubs over the next few days about a loan departure, with QPR, Luton, Watford, Sheffield United and Blackburn also keen.
Should a loan exit materialise as expected, Nixon says Umeh will take Rak-Sakyi’s spot in the first-team.
That does not guarantee regular minutes for the 19-year-old, however.
Despite his status as a member of the first-team, Rak-Sakyi hardly got a look in last season, making six Premier League appearances which amounted to just 132 minutes of action in total.
19-year-old deserves his chance
While Rak-Sakyi is deserving of a place under Glasner, having shone on loan at Charlton in the 2022/23 campaign with 15 goals and ten assists in 50 games, Umeh has also earned a chance.
The Republic of Ireland U19 international was fantastic for the Crystal Palace U21 side last season, scoring nine goals in 14 Premier League 2 appearances, while also providing one assist.
Umeh has also been impressing coaches in training, with Paddy McCarthy overheard shouting “good Franco, well played son” at Copers Cope in one of Glasner’s first sessions.
The Irishman was also heard praising his fellow countryman during Crystal Palace’s warm weather training camp in Marbella back in March.
READ MORE: How Crystal Palace feel about Ryan Sessegnon after watching him in training at Copers Cope
Hopefully, if Umeh does get a chance next season, he takes it with both hands.
