Crystal Palace signed Rob Holding from Arsenal in the Summer transfer window, but he has hardly featured since.
Holding started in Palace’s League Cup defeat to Manchester United, but has not been seen since, and has not played a single Premier League minute for the club.
There were reports in recent months that he could move on in the January transfer window, but as it stands, there is currently no indication that he could push for an exit.
The 28-year-old has now opened up on his situation at the club, and shared a conversation he had with Roy Hodgson about his gametime.
Rob Holding reveals Hodgson conversation upon arrival at Crystal Palace
Speaking on Harry’s Gym Chat on YouTube, Holding explained that whilst he is ready to play when called upon, he understands that Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi are ahead of him in the pecking order.
“I came to Palace but at the moment I’m sat in a supporting role, as Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi are playing so well,” he stated.
“They’re getting clean sheets, so I can’t then be knocking on the door like ‘when am I gonna get a game’ as he’ll just say ‘the other lads are keeping clean sheets,’ so you can’t do that.
“I did speak to Roy when I first came in and he explained it, and I was just like ‘it’s something I’m used to, I’ve experienced it, I know how to deal with it. I’m not going to be a toxic person in the changing room because of it.’
“You’ll see, time will tell, you’ll see how I am as a person and make your judgement from that. My time will come when it is ready.”
Did Rob Holding make the wrong decision by coming to Crystal Palace?
The deal to bring Holding in made sense for Palace, as they secured experienced cover at a low cost, but Holding’s exit from Arsenal was to find more game time, and he is playing even less than before.
It was clear that Andersen and Guehi would be ahead of him in the pecking order, and even if one of them departs, with Guehi linked with a summer exit, it seems unlikely that he will then be trusted as the first-choice option.
There is little need to break up the defensive pairing, and Palace are out of both cups, meaning that if they stay fit, Holding may not play at all for the rest of this season. Few would begrudge him if he chose to push for an exit, but should there be an injury at the back, Holding would be useful cover if he is happy to stay at the club.
