Crystal Palace have often made a mess of loan deals in recent times.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi shone at Charlton in the 2022/23 campaign with 15 goals in League One, only to then end up spending the 2023/24 season on the sidelines before an odd loan to Caykur Rizespor at the start of this term followed.
Hindolo Mustapha – winner of the U21 Player of the Season at Selhurst Park last term – was also the victim of a bad loan, moving to Nurnberg last summer. The German side rarely even put the attacker on the bench, and he has now been sent to West Brom for another go at a productive loan move.
Crystal Palace fans rarely see a talent return from a loan move ready to help the senior side, but that looks set to change next season as Danny Imray makes headlines at West Brom.
Danny Imray proves he can be an understudy for Daniel Munoz with starring West Brom performances
Finally, the Eagles look to have developed a proper talent after organising a string of smart loan moves.
Imray spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Bromley in League Two, where he shone and did enough to make Crystal Palace feel he deserved a shot in League One with Blackpool.
The 22-year-old only needed six months in that division to show he was too good for it, as Crystal Palace recalled the defender in January before sending him on loan to West Brom in the Championship.
For some, it would be tough to move up two leagues in just one season, but Imray is making it look simple.
The 22-year-old was celebrated as a hero on Saturday after helping West Brom record a crucial 3-0 win over Hull, providing an assist as he showed immense energy levels and quality to boot down that right flank.
Imray played like a young Munoz at the Hawthorns, as Sofascore shows he recorded two shots, one key pass, three dribbles and three interceptions on an afternoon where he announced himself in the Championship.
West Brom even described the display as “utterly brilliant from minute one to 90” on Instagram, as several fans added that it was one of the best performances they have seen from any right-back at the Hawthorns for some time.
Crystal Palace have struggled to replace Munoz this term when the Colombian has been absent, relying on the 34-year-old Nathaniel Clyne to fill in, while Brennan Johnson is even being played out of position right now to cover for the South American. Justin Devenny has also been asked to slot in as a right wing-back at times.
Fortunately, it seems as if Steve Parish won’t have to worry about finding a new option for the right flank this summer.
It was a wise move to take Imray out of Blackpool and into the Championship, and excitement is growing as he proves he is capable of shining in the division which produced Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton and more.
