There are several outstanding young players at Crystal Palace, and Roy Hodgson has come under fire for not helping any of them make it into the starting lineup.
There are numerous reasons why Palace supporters are not happy with Hodgson right now, and he is under a lot of pressure. It is important that he ignores and even criticizes Palace’s bright young players; some have even said that his tenure at the club could be detrimental to the players’ future growth.
Some of Palace’s brightest players were loaned out during the January transfer window, and two of them joined RWD Molenbeek, a Belgian team that is also a member of John Textor’s network of teams.
Late in the transfer window, winger Malcolm Ebiowei and defender Tayo Adaramola joined the Belgian squad, who are presently ranked 14th out of 16 teams in the premier league. Both players have made appearances for the team.
Crystal Palace loanees shine in Belgium
Saturday saw RWDM play against Standard Liege in an important game in the relegation battle, and they drew 2-2.
Adaramola started at left-back, and played the whole 90 minutes, whilst Ebiowei came on in the 67th minute, and assisted Ilay Camara’s late goal to put their side 2-1 up, before they were pegged back by the visitors.
The Palace pair were spotted celebrating the goal together, and this was posted on X with the caption “they got out just in time.”
Are Crystal Palace youngsters better off away from Selhurst Park?
Crystal Palace are suffering an injury crisis, and Ebiowei may have come in useful as an option on the wing given that Michael Olise is set to be absent with a long-term injury.
However, Palace are in a crisis right now, with results and performances on the pitch, coupled with anger off it, and Hodgson’s presence at the club, making it a difficult place to thrive at right now.
Talents in David Ozoh and Matheus Franca have been consistently overlooked by Hodgson, and even with the injury crisis as it is right now, he may still be reluctant to give any opportunities to academy players.
Ebiowei and Adaramola can now play regularly together to help their development, and begin to thrive away from Hodgson before they return at the end of the season, and a new coach may be willing to give them chances in pre-season.
