Pierre Sage's Crystal Palace Fringe Players Seek to Prove Themselves
Crystal Palace's new manager Pierre Sage has a chance to assess the club's fringe players in the upcoming season. With 12 players away at the World Cup, there is an opportunity for those who have struggled to make an impact to showcase their abilities.
What happened?
Pre-season has begun for Crystal Palace under new manager Pierre Sage. A 5-1 win over Swindon Town on Saturday represented a positive start to preparations for the new campaign. This pre-season provides more of a chance for those players who have previously struggled to make an impact, as well as those who spent time out on loan last term and are now looking at their options or to break into the first team.
Why it matters for Crystal Palace
Having better-quality depth is crucial to managing the club's campaign across multiple competitions and avoiding the dips in form and performances seen last season. With 12 players away at the World Cup, there is an opening for fringe personnel not just to make up the numbers but to be more active participants and obtain significant minutes as well as making a mark in training.
What comes next?
Palace face Bromley on Saturday before spending the week in Italy at the Como Cup where they are guaranteed three games, albeit those will be 45 rather than 90 minutes long. That tournament brings an element of competition and greater intensity to mirror more closely the upcoming campaign in the Premier League and Europa League.
Cheick Doucoure's Chance to Shine
Cheick Doucoure, a 26-year-old midfielder, has spent most of the past two and a half years out with injury - first a ruptured Achilles and then a torn meniscus in his knee. He was voted player of the year in 2023, and had attracted interest from Liverpool for his performances in central midfield. Doucoure has worked hard to be in a position to be ready for pre-season training and may offer a valuable squad option as Palace compete in at least eight Europa League games this season.
Eddie Nketiah's Opportunity
Eddie Nketiah, a 27-year-old striker, is another who was held back by repeated problems last season, when he was limited to 19 appearances in all competitions, of which only five were starts. He scored four times and will be hoping to prove himself in the upcoming season.
Crystal Palace are currently 15th in the Premier League, 40 points behind leaders Arsenal, with 41 goals scored and 51 conceded (-10 goal difference). They face Ipswich at home on September 12th, their next fixture.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 15th in Premier League, 45 pts, 11W-12D-15L from 38 games, recent form LDLDL. Goals this season: 41 scored, 51 conceded (-10 goal difference). Title race: 40 points behind leaders Arsenal. Last result: Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal (2026-05-24). Recent form (last 5): 0W-2D-3L (LLDDL, most recent first); lost the last 2.
