With Oliver Glasner implementing a new system at Crystal Palace, Daniel Munoz has no backup but this could be found in the U21s.
Since arriving at Selhurst Park last month, Oliver Glasner has been playing a 3-4-3 system which seems the wing-backs integral at getting up the pitch.
This suits January’s signing Daniel Munoz perfectly with his qualities suited to a wingback role.
The only problem with this is that Palace don’t have a player of similar strengths to replace him with should he need a rest or pick up an injury due to other right-backs like Nathaniel Clyne and Joel Ward not being suitable.
But there is a player in the academy currently who is on fire and could be perfect as an understudy for Munoz. That name is Danny Imray, here’s how he is getting on…
Danny Imray should be handed an opportunity to understudy Daniel Munoz for Crystal Palace
Palace’s U21 side has a right-back right now who is on fire and simply cannot stop scoring, which could suggest he’d be perfect in an attacking full-back role.
Imray has scored in five consecutive games from right back, with a brace in one game making his form six in five as per SofaScore. This season in total, Imray has four assists added to his eight goals which is a remarkable tally for a right-back.
Being so effective on the front foot suggests he could have the potential to hold similar qualities to Munoz. This makes handing Imray the chance to learn from and work with the Colombian a smart move as he could make for an excellent second-choice and potentially one-day first-choice right wing-back for Glasner.
Oliver Glasner is known to give youth a chance
One major factor that could lead to Imray being handed an opportunity to step up is that Glasner is known to be willing to give youth a chance.
With that being the case, Imray is more deserving than anyone right now of this chance given his recent form and once relegation is no longer in the question, Palace should give Imray a game.
Being able to take off Munoz at times in games would be a massive benefit given the amount of running he has to do as a wingback, so cameos could be a real way in for Imray.
Imray’s recent scoring streak means he has ultimately earned his opportunity to show he’s ready for first-team football, and at 20, it probably needs to come sooner than later.
