Crystal Palace

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Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has full confidence that key striker Jean-Philippe Mateta will be in good shape to feature against Fulham in their FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday.

The France international has not played since he was injured in a collision with Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts which left him requiring 25 stitches to his left ear.

Mateta, who has scored 15 times this season, will wear a protective helmet against Marco Silva's side.

"If I believed it's a problem, I wouldn't play him," said Glasner.

"The doctor and the team did a great job finding the right protection. We tried two or three different ones, everything is approved by the Premier League."

"He feels comfortable [wearing the helmet]. When he scores a header tomorrow then it was the right mask with the right protection."

"When I've watched JP in training he looks the same like before. He needs to get back into his rhythm, he couldn't train for two weeks. One week he was just at home then he trained for a week individually.

"He's been lucky that nothing was fractured, no concussion. It was just the ear. I know it was a terrible injury. Some players say that the ear looks better than before now."

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup game against Fulham (kick-off 12:15 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Jean-Phillipe Mateta's fitness: "He trains now for two weeks with us. Of course, always with his protection and it's also important for him to train a little bit. We had an internal game during the international break where he could play for 60 minutes without any problems. He's ready."

• On Mateta's protective mask that he is now required to wear to over his ear when playing: "I said to him to maybe try water polo because he is tall enough. It looks a little bit strange, but he says he is comfortable. Let's see, when he scores a header tomorrow then it was the right mask and the right protection."

• On the rest of the squad's fitness: "The positive thing is all players are fit and available – just Will Hughes is questionable. He's a bit sick, so let's see how the afternoon and the night will be. But all others arrived back from the national teams in very good shape, and all the players who are here are fit. It's just Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure who are out for the rest of the season, all others are ready."

• On sporting director Dougie Freedman's decision to leave: "I'm always very close with a lot of talks almost every day. I was involved, he didn't ask me about the decision but I was always involved in the process. It didn't come as a surprise to me, he was looking for a different challenge not here in the Premier League. He took the decision for himself and his family, so we had to agree. There's no disappointment, he was always quite open so it's all good."

• On how Freedman's exit could effect summer transfer business: "The good thing is we already started weeks ago with our recruitment that we want to do in the summer. Everything is on the pathway, I'm pretty sure we will do the right things. Of course, it's a new situation when a very important guy leaves after eight years. But we have very good communications in the club, all the players we are looking at we know. I'm pretty sure we will get the things done that we want done."

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Crystal Palace defender Ben Chilwell says players like Jean-Philipe Mateta are important to have in the dressing room.

The striker is in contention to play in Saturday's FA Cup match against Fulham, which could be his first match since suffering a head injury in the last round against Millwall.

"Before I came to Palace, I watched him on TV, we know how good of a footballer he is, and how prolific he is in front of goal," Chilwell told the club's website.

"On the other side of it, which I've been impressed by, is how he is around the building. He's the glue of the place, really. He's the loudest one in the changing room, the loudest one around here. You need a few of those.

"It's a long season, so you need those characters around the place who are always cracking jokes, making people laugh. In the small side games in training, they're the loudest ones when their team loses or their team wins.

"They're the most important figures in the changing room. You definitely notice when he's not in the building, put it that way, because he's just such a bubbly character.

"Then again, like I said, on the pitch, he's having a brilliant season and he's had a brilliant few seasons. Hopefully, having him back this weekend will be a massive boost, and hopefully he can help us out."

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Crystal Palace are close to agreeing a new four-year contract with wing-back Caleb Kporha.

The 18-year-old, whose current deal was due to expire this summer, made his first-team debut against Fulham in the Premier League in November last year.

The academy graduate then made his full debut for Palace just over a month later in the defeat by Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Kporha received his first call-up to the England U19 side this month and made his debut in the 0-0 draw against Turkey.

Kporha has been involved with Oliver Glasner's first-team squad for the majority of the season and has been back up to Daniel Munoz who has been crucial to the Eagles this campaign.

Palace play Fulham in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Saturday as they look to try to reach the last four of the competition for the first time since 2022.

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Premier League clubs have agreed the dates for the summer transfer window.

The window will open early, between Sunday 1 June and Tuesday 10 June, due to an exceptional registration period relating to the Fifa Club World Cup.

It will then reopen on Monday 16 June and close on Monday 1 September.

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This is just the second time Fulham and Crystal Palace have met in the FA Cup, with the Eagles winning a second-round replay 1-0 in February 1907.

Fulham progressed from their first four FA Cup quarter-finals between 1957-58 and 2001-02, but have been eliminated in their four since.

Meanwhile, Palace have progressed from four of their past five FA Cup last-eight ties, only failing in 2018-19 against Watford in this run.

Crystal Palace are progressing in talks over a new deal for manager Oliver Glasner, amid interest in the Austrian from RB Leipzig. (Football Insider), external

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There's plenty to discuss at Crystal Palace - from Oliver Glasner's priorities next season to the future of Eberechi Eze.

So, we are opening the floor for you to put your questions to BBC Sport football news reporter Alex Howell.

Send them in below and he will dive into a selection.

Submit your questions here

Come back later in the week to see his answers

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Looking a little further ahead in England, at least this weekend gives some players a little break. The Premier League takes a rest while the FA Cup quarter-finals top the bill and rarely has there been a more unusual cast list.

Bournemouth, Preston North End, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Brighton are not regulars in FA Cup finals, so it is a great chance for glory.

Not since Forest in 1959 have any of the above won the trophy.‌

Many of the big dogs have gone out already - not because they didn't care, but because they simply weren't good enough.

The FA Cup seems to have its sparkle back and, with a bit of luck, it might even have the first magical fairytale ending we have seen since Wigan in 2013.

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Alex Pewter
Fan writer

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In 2025, Crystal Palace are in form and progressing up the Premier League table. All is sunny in South London, with the FA Cup quarter-final and the final 10 Premier League matches on the horizon.

So, when asked to highlight a player who needs to offer more, it is not easy to identify someone.

While 27 players have participated in the Premier League this season, three are no longer with the club, three have been loaned out, and Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure are out with long-term injuries.

In turn, if you look at the number of minutes played by the top 11 players in Palace's squad, they account for 81% of the team's total minutes for the league season. The 12th player on that list is Trevoh Chalobah, and only Adam Wharton would be considered a first-team starter from the rest.

Where does that leave the search for more contributions? The players who haven't featured in the attack: Romain Esse, the actual new signing, and Matheus Franca, the cliched "new signing" and injury-returnee.

Whilst both have now played against lower-league opposition in the cup, with Franca yet to re-debut in the Premier League and Esse held to eight minutes, both have played for less time than Jordan Ayew – who departed after the season opener.

So, what can the pair do to break into Glasner's team? It is an unenviable task to break the pairing of starters Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr. But, as with any team, there will be situations where Palace needs a different attacking option late in close matches. Esse, in particular, brings a distinct profile compared to other options in that role.

Glasner has often rewarded players who earn his trust, and as fellow young midfielder Justin Devenny has proven, Franca and Esse can follow that path to close out the season.

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Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi says he is "over the moon" for Eberechi Eze after he scored his first England goal in Monday's 3-0 World Cup qualifier win over Latvia.

Eze came on just after the hour mark and sealed the win with a late deflected effort after some fine wing play.

"Every time he's come on, he has had a big chance and he's created things," Guehi told BBC Sport's John Murray.

"I'm over the moon for him. I'm glad that went in for him, I'm glad it was on target and they gave it to him.

"He is someone who is extremely humble, who works extremely hard and is always smiling and joyful around the place. A massive talent as well. I'm so glad for him and his family."

It was a familiarly laboured performance at times from the Three Lions but Guehi - making his 23rd international appearance - believes it has been positive camp.

"These games are about getting the job done, finding rhythm, connections, building relationships and keeping standards as high as possible. Overall, it's been a good week," he added.

"There is always room for improvement. We've got a long way to go until we reach our target of qualifying."

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Former Crystal Palace and West Ham defender James Tomkins has retired from professional football.

The 35-year-old's last appearance came for Palace in May 2024 - and he featured 136 times for the club across an eight-year spell.

He also spent over eight years at West Ham, where he played nearly 250 games and scored 11 goals, and he had a short loan spell in the Championship with Derby.

In a post on Instagram, he said: "Thank you to my amazing family for making my career even possible and their continued support over the years.

"Also, thank you to all the brilliant coaches and players I have worked with throughout my career.

"I was lucky to play for three clubs - all with amazing fans who make football what it is. I will miss the game, but it's time to announce my retirement."

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to be fit to play in Crystal Palace's FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham this weekend.

The striker has been out injured after needing 25 stitches to a cut around his ear after a challenge by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.

Mateta has continued his rehabilitation and joined Palace on their break in Marbella - and according to a source with knowledge of his condition, he is going to be fit to play as the Eagles try to reach the last four of the FA Cup.

The 27-year-old is going to take to the field in a mask to protect the wound on the side of his head but it is a big boost to manager Oliver Glasner before an important game.

England under-19 full-back Caleb Kporha, 18, is set to leave Crystal Palace on a free transfer at the end of the season after talks over a new deal broke down. (Football Insider, external)

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Alex Pewter
Fan writer

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Crystal Palace are in the middle of three weeks away from competitive fixtures and the pace of the Premier League schedule. No doubt it is a valuable break, with some warm-weather training in Spain to help fuel this final stretch of league and cup matches.

Yet even with games not happening, there has still been a flow of news and speculation about the future of manager Oliver Glasner, who, as reported, is in talks to extend his contract at the club.

With just over a year left to run on his current deal, it is clear the Austrian has grown his reputation since arriving. English football is often ignorant of coaching successes on the continent until they 'tick the box' here. Glasner has been one of those coaches but now interest in him will likely only develop.

Without intending to steer into hyperbole (while doing so anyway) securing Oliver Glasner may be the single most significant achievement the club could undertake before this summer.

Taking a historical perspective to examine his impact on Palace only lends weight to that thought process.

In the modern era of the club in the Premier League, going back 12 seasons, the team has played 446 matches in the top flight, with 12 men leading from the dugout - three only as caretakers.

When lined up against the records of all those managers, Glasner stands out for several reasons. He's the only manager with more wins than losses (17 against 12) and the only one with a positive goal difference (+18), all while averaging 1.54 points per game.

Having taken charge of the fourth-most league matches in this era, he has already matched the win total of the third, Patrick Vieira, in 24 fewer matches.

His teams have averaged the highest number of goals per game, and only the stellar 26-game spell of Tony Pulis had a better defensive record per match.

Glasner has now convinced us. It may require the club to convince him to stay, and that will likely mean backing him financially and trusting his direction beyond any of those previous managers.

There are small windows of opportunity for success in football, and one is open right now for Palace. The club and chairman may have traditionally been risk-averse, but this coach is worth rolling the dice on.

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Crystal Palace are plotting a move to sign 22-year-old English striker Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough this summer. (Football Insider), external

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After news that sporting director Dougie Freedman is set to leave Crystal Palace, we asked for your thoughts on his potential exit.

Here are some of your comments:

Dave: With Marc Guehi, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Adam Wharton and possibly Eberechi Eze all touted to leave in the summer, and now Dougie Freedman with his magic touch in recruitment on his way too, the FA Cup feels like the only chance for glory the club is going to get for the foreseeable future. They burned too bright and caught the eye of the rich and powerful, and whether or not the churn of pivotal players is sustainable, that's football.

Moggy: Pretty concerned. He's found us some great players. I'm hoping he didn't do it on his own and there's some good succession planning in place. We're all allowed to move on but why would he leave Palace? Thanks Dougie and all the best.

Simon It makes little difference. Such appointments have a host of clauses in them so I doubt the entire department will go. He is but one person. We move on and I see no difference in the summer for the work we will do refreshing the squad.

Sam: Quite possibly the most important individual for Palace's development over the past 25 years, if you put together his playing career, time as coach and manager and then as football director. Very disappointed he's leaving, hope to see us appoint someone similarly driven to lead our recruitment. Hope for him that he doesn't regret this like he did going to Bolton.

Les: Devastated! He's irreplaceable and taking his hand-picked scouts with him could spell the end of the Palace dynasty. As it has been well known for a month he has been leaving, I hope Steve Parish is already lining up a shortlist.

Pete: An absolute hammer blow, I fear the glacial slow progress of the club over the last decade of Premier League football may have taken a step backwards. But in Parish we trust - a slow and steady progression without putting the club at risk. Oliver Glasner on a long contract is now a must!

Alex Pewter
Fan writer

In what was otherwise set to be a quiet news week for Crystal Palace, the departure of sporting director Dougie Freedman on Monday evening has certainly sparked it to life.

This is the latest chapter in a storied relationship between the Scottish forward-turned-coach-turned-head of recruitment.

Fans are well-versed in the history, from Stockport heroics to his Bolton departure and everything in between. Yet, his latest exit does create a power vacuum in the recruitment side of the club.

Whereas other sporting directors may be more technocratic by nature, Freedman was pivotal within the Palace setup, taking a more hands-on approach to scouting and player assessment than the equivalent at other Premier League clubs.

The reality is that over the past 30 years at the club, there have only been a few cohesively and logically built squads at Selhurst Park, and most have had the fingerprints of Freedman all over them.

Ian Holloway may have the play-off winner's medal from 2013, but it was built on the back of Freedman's team – one rebuilt from the ashes of administration and turned into a competitor. Freedman showed he was adept at capitalising on an eye for talent and the power of persuasion to construct a team that combined youth and unwanted veteran talent, all on a budget.

Therefore, it was a natural career progression for him to move into a backroom role focused on that aspect of the sport rather than coaching when he returned to the club in 2017.

It may have taken a couple of years to feel that impact, but the summer of 2021 may have been his crowning achievement. The arrivals of Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen, and Michael Olise - all in a single window - were added to Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta from the previous season. The players have been the basis of the team's rejuvenation in recent years.

Within the financial constraints of Palace, there is a necessity to stretch the budget and still achieve a very high hit rate on players. Although that recruitment record isn't flawless, the club remains in a strong position due to those that succeeded.

For Palace, the question will be what comes next? With Freedman gone and likely many of his handpicked scouts with him, the team will need to navigate a challenging summer while reorganising their recruitment team.

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Sporting Director Dougie Freedman is set to leave Crystal Palace.

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Liverpool are ahead of Newcastle United, Chelsea and Tottenham in the race to sign 24-year-old Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. (Football Insider), external

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