'Huge powerhouse in Croydon' - Crystal Palace told to blood the 'new Eberechi Eze'
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(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media)
Alex Oakhill
Wed 17 September 2025 16:45, UK
Crystal Palace have been told that they will find the next Eberechi Eze if they start trusting some of their young stars.
Eze joined Arsenal over the summer for an overall fee worth £67.5million, ending his five-year stay at the South London club.
The winger signed for the Palace at the age of 22, quickly becoming a cult hero, and there is hope that his rise can be recreated by some of the current crop of youth players.
The likes of 20-year-old Romain Esse and 21-year-old Justin Devenny have been given sporadic minutes in the first team.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Palace can find some new stars if they give their youngsters a chance.
Credit: Imago
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Palace must keep their core of experienced players to give their youngsters a platform to shine.
One of their established starters, Jean-Philippe Mateta, has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park in recent weeks.
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Wyness added that Oliver Glasner’s side must tie Mateta down to a new contract as soon as possible.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think he’s a key part, and if they can pull that off, and I think they will, that would be great news for them.
He’s a quality player, and I think he’s part of the Palace move now.
“What’ll be exciting for the Palace fans is not only getting Mateta tied down, but if they can get a couple of their young stars blooded through, the new Ezes.
The ones that are going to come through from that huge powerhouse in Croydon, which they keep on recruiting from.
“Then I think Palace would be happy again.
The fans like the young talent coming through, but around a core, a skeleton of quality players who have been there for a while.
I think then the Palace fans will be happy, and let’s see if they can make an impact in Europe.”
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are reportedly planning to reject any offers for Adam Wharton during the January transfer window.
Credit: Imago
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who claims that the 21-year-old remains a key player under Glasner.
Real Madrid have now joined the race for Wharton after sending scouts to track his progress, while Liverpool and Man United have been long-term admirers.
A number of clubs have been weighing up the possibility of a mid-season deal, but the Eagles are planning to stand firm on their stance not to let him go.
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