BY ALEX PEWTER
Crystal Palace will be without Will Hughes for tomorrow’s encounter with Chelsea.
The midfielder, who captained the side in the absence of Marc Guehi against Southampton, suffered a foot injury, even though he played through the majority of the second half.
Oliver Glasner is expected to name Cheick Doucoure in his place. The Malian international is still seeking a consistent run in the team after his long-term achilles tear last season and subsequent toe injury against Leicester earlier this season, which kept him out of five league matches.
The question for Glasner during Friday’s press conference was how he could get the midfielder back to his best.
“The best thing for him is that I give him minutes to play. Jeff Lerma and Will Hughes have been excellent in the last games. Sometimes, you have to wait for your moment, and now the moment has come.”
Crystal Palace v Arsenal – Premier League, Selhurst Park, 21 December 2024Picture : Keith Gillard
His second-half performance against Chelsea on September 1 sparked hope that he would soon be back to the midfielder that controlled the Palace midfield. It has been four months since, but the same opposition and opportunity lay before him.
Glasner said: “We trust him, we see him in training, and he’s doing really well. Also, he had a great impact in the first away game at Chelsea game when Will Hughes was close to being sent off.
“Cheick came in and stabilised the midfield. He’s so smart in reading the passing lines, and they [Chelsea] always want to pass into the pocket. So you need your sixes anticipating these passes. He was very important to us there, and when we won the ball, he solved problems, was calm, and could find the right player.”
For Doucoure, this will only be his fourth start in the Premier League this season. Since returning to the team at the beginning of November, his longest appearance was a 64-minute display in the draw with Aston Villa, his next start cut short at half-time against Ipswich, following an early yellow card.
With Hughes’ injury and delays to Adam Wharton’s return, there is a chance he could gain the minutes he needs in quick succession.
“Adam [Wharton] won’t be available with Stockport, Leicester and West Ham for the three-game week,” said Glasner. “I don’t know if Will Hughes is available, so it may be the case that he has to play three games in six days. We will support him, but there is still more than a week to go.”
Crystal Palace v Arsenal – Premier League, Selhurst Park, 21 December 2024Picture : Keith Gillard
With a group of four defensive midfielders, who unfortunately have yet to be available at once for any length of time, Glasner spoke on the differences between Doucoure and his midfield colleagues.
“It’s like everyone – Jeff Lerma has different qualities than Will Hughes. Will is different to Cheicky and Adam Wharton. Cheick is a very intelligent player, very calm on the ball, and has good decision-making skills. Of course, if he’s not in that rhythm, he needs to pass quicker – but I know he can do it as I see it in training.”
“He’s one of the players finding the quickest solutions in midfield, and this is what we face tomorrow against the pressure of Chelsea. When they lose the ball, they are very aggressive in how they counter-press, so you only have one or two touches to deal with it. He showed this at Chelsea and Aston Villa – with a great pass before the second goal.”
“This is what he shows every day and what I expect from him tomorrow.”
MAIN PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD