The match between Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, which ended in a 1-0 victory for the hosts, highlights the challenges currently facing the Eagles. Let’s analyze the reasons behind this team’s drop in performance.
Key Departures and Their Impact
During the summer, Crystal Palace had to face offers for its most talented players. While Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi decided to stay at the club, the loss of Michael Olise, transferred to Bayern Munich for around £50 million, has been particularly detrimental. Last season, Olise scored 10 goals in 19 appearances in the Premier League, playing a central role in the team’s strong ranking. His absence is strongly felt.
The new coach, Oliver Glasner, has won only one match without Olise, a victory against Burnley where the team benefited from an opponent being sent off. This statistic illustrates how much the striker was missed by the team.
The Weakened Defense
Another departure that has significantly contributed to the underperformance of Crystal Palace is that of Joachim Andersen, the central defender who moved to Fulham. The absence of this player has weakened the defense, which had proven to be one of the strongest the previous season. Indeed, the team had conceded only 14 goals in 13 matches under Glasner’s management.
With 11 goals already conceded this season, it is evident that the Eagles’ defense is struggling to stabilize. The combination of the loss of a defensive pillar and a key striker has redefined the team’s dynamics.
Conclusion: An Urgent Need for Readjustment
The current situation of Crystal Palace raises concerns about its ability to perform in a league as competitive as the Premier League. The club must quickly find solutions to compensate for the loss of influential players like Olise and Andersen. Finding replacements capable of maintaining the level of play will be crucial for the rest of the season.
Source : www.bbc.com