Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has come to the defense of Eddie Nketiah, acknowledging the striker’s difficult first season at Selhurst Park while expressing confidence that his hard work will eventually pay off.
Since leaving Arsenal last summer, Nketiah has faced a frustrating debut campaign with Palace, managing just one goal in 24 Premier League appearances.
Limited to only seven starts, he has struggled to make a significant impact, often finding himself on the fringes of the squad.
Despite these setbacks, Glasner has praised the forward’s commitment, pointing to his relentless effort in training and on the pitch.
“Eddie is one of the hardest-working players in this squad,” Glasner told reporters. “I feel for him because his effort isn’t reflected in his stats. But I believe the rewards will come—it’s only a matter of time.”
The Palace boss hinted that Nketiah could feature prominently in the upcoming clash against Arsenal, his former club.
While the striker has faced criticism for his lack of goals, Glasner believes he still has an opportunity to salvage his season.
“We have important games ahead, and maybe this is the moment for Eddie to show what he’s capable of,” he added.
Reflecting on Nketiah’s situation, Glasner recalled an incident against Newcastle, where the forward came on with the team trailing heavily.
“He had chances, he could have scored, but luck wasn’t on his side. I spoke to him afterward because I see how much he puts into his game. The moment when his effort finally pays off could come soon.”
As Palace prepare to take on Arsenal on Wednesday, the matchup presents Nketiah with a chance to prove himself against familiar faces.
Following that, Palace shift their focus to a crucial FA Cup semi-final clash against Aston Villa, a fixture that could define their season.
