Crystal Palace have just handed Cheick Doucoure a new contract and while that’s a tremendous decision, it’s left Oliver Glasner with a huge decision.
On Wednesday it was announced that Crystal Palace were going to be tying down Cheick Doucoure to a brand new five-year contract.
This takes the 24-year-old through until June 2029, in a bid to deter interest from the likes of Liverpool which was seen last summer.
That being said the central midfielder hasn’t appeared since earlier this season after he sustained an injury. Although he is expected to return at some stage toward the season’s finale.
This return will be welcomed, but it’ll give Oliver Glasner a huge decision to make.
Oliver Glasner has a massive decision to make in midfield
Doucoure’s return will come and he may be the biggest midfield talent at the club but right now, the pairing of Adam Wharton and Jefferson Lerma is thriving.
Lerma was arguably the man of the match against Burnley despite Jordan Ayew contributing to two goals. Meanwhile, Wharton has been solid ever since he arrived at the club in January.
These two have practically nailed down the double pivot for Palace right now at least and on form, not much will be able to change this.
With only two spots in the line-up, Glasner faces a predicament on which of the three misses out or does he try something completely crazy instead.
What should Glasner’s midfield duo be at Crystal Palace when everyone is fit?
It is a tough situation as Wharton only recently signed, for big money too and has been solid so far giving no reason for him to be dropped.
Lerma has been incredible lately and dropping him would also be unfair considering his displays especially recently with him and Wharton forming an excellent partnership.
Doucoure therefore has a fight on his hands if he wants to earn a spot ahead of either of these players upon his return from injury.
The other option is to move the 24-year-old Mali international back into the back three where he could be a ball-playing centre-half and also step into midfield when in possession.
Lots of decisions for Glasner to make.
