Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has openly criticised the club’s handling of Eberechi Eze’s transfer to Arsenal, describing the sale as poorly timed and damaging to his preparations for the new season.
Eze, the English-Nigerian winger who has been a central figure at Selhurst Park in recent years, is on the verge of finalising a £60 million move to the Emirates after completing his medical at London Colney on Friday. His imminent departure leaves Palace with little over a week to find an adequate replacement.
Glasner expressed frustration at the timing of the deal, emphasising that the club has made life difficult for itself by leaving matters so late in the transfer window.
“We are very, very late. It’s 10 days to go [until the transfer window closes] to find the right replacements,” he said. “I think we could have done much better than we did. It’s no criticism, it’s just telling facts.”
Eze’s departure is particularly damaging given his influence last season, where he consistently produced decisive goals and assists.
Palace’s lack of attacking depth has already been a concern for Glasner, and losing their most creative outlet without a clear replacement lined up threatens to destabilise their campaign.
The German coach has previously spoken about the need for better planning and squad building, but his latest comments underline growing unease behind the scenes.
While Arsenal gain a dynamic attacker who can slot into Mikel Arteta’s system, Palace are left scrambling to fill the void.
Glasner, though visibly disappointed, maintained a measured tone, stressing that his comments were not an attack on individuals but a statement of reality.
