Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace confirmed the loan signing of Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi on Thursday, with the Belgium international joining until the end of the season.

The club relayed the news of Batshuayi's move from Stamford Bridge.

"This is a fantastic signing for Crystal Palace," chairman Steve Parish said. "Michy is a player we've long admired, and I'm delighted that we've finally managed to get him in a red and blue shirt. He will be a magnificent addition to our squad."

Batshuayi, 25, joined Chelsea from Marseille in July 2016 for £33.1 million. Despite his significant price tag, he has never nailed down a first-team spot at Stamford Bridge.

He does nevertheless boast an impressive minutes-per-goal ratio for Chelsea in the English top flight, as Squawka Football highlighted:

Michy Batshuayi for Chelsea in the Premier League:

32 games
592 minutes
30 shots
7 goals
2 assists

A goal every 84.57 minutes. pic.twitter.com/DIqVhGjw28

— Squawka (@Squawka) January 31, 2018

In the second half of last season, he enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, scoring seven goals in 10 Bundesliga appearances before picking up an injury.

Batshuayi was sent out on loan again back in August, this time to Valencia. It did not go as well as his move to Dortmund, though, as the La Liga side terminated the loan in early January after he failed to make much of an impact.

That aside, it seems clear Batshuayi could thrive in the right environment. He has always come up with goals when he has been given opportunities at Chelsea, whether it be in the league or in cup competitions.

Further, he was brilliant in the short time he was fully fit at Dortmund.

The striker will likely be handed a lot more game time at Crystal Palace, and that should allow him to improve and potentially return to Chelsea ready to fight for a first-team place.

As for Palace, they have snapped up a striker of enormous potential with a lot to prove.

The Football Association have opened an investigation after Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey allegedly made a Nazi salute at a club dinner.

The image of the Wales international was captured by team-mate Max Meyer, with the German posting the picture as an Instagram story Saturday.

According to Sky Sports, the FA are looking into the incident after the player denied any wrongdoing.

The 31-year-old made a statement on his Twitter account, stating across two tweets his innocence.

Hennessey wrote:

"Yesterday evening I had a meal with my team mates and we had a group photograph. I waved and shouted at the person taking the picture to get on with it and at the same time put my hand over my mouth to make the sound carry. It’s been brought to my attention that frozen in a moment by the camera this looks like I am making a completely inappropriate type of salute. I can assure everyone I would never ever do that and any resemblance to that kind of gesture is absolutely coincidental. Love and peace Wayne."

Meyer posted the Instagram story after the Eagles defeated Grimsby Town 1-0 in the third round of the FA Cup. The story has since expired, but the image quickly went viral on social media platforms.

Hennessey could now face sanctions as the governing body determines if the act was deliberate.    

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has taken to social media to deny performing a Nazi salute in a team photo.

As the Associated Press reported (h/t ESPN FC), Eagles midfielder Max Meyer posted an Instagram story of the team having dinner, and the image appeared to show Hennessey performing the salute.

The Wales international denied making the gesture, however:

https://twitter.com/WayneHennessey1/status/1082058860423192581

Football writer Daniel Storey shared the image that sparked the controversy:

It certainly *looks* like Wayne Hennessey doing a Hitler salute on Crystal Palace teammate Max Meyer's Instagram photo. pic.twitter.com/HdFXdxPnyc

— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) January 6, 2019

Meyer's story was posted after the FA Cup win over Grimsby Town―in which the 31-year-old kept a clean sheet―and disappeared automatically after 24 hours.

According to the Mirror's Alex Richards, the goalkeeper could face a club probe following the controversy.

Saturday's start was Hennessey's first for the Eagles since December 8. He began the season as the unquestioned starter, but after conceding three goals in a loss to West Ham United and then suffering a back injury, manager Roy Hodgson opted to go with Spanish goalkeeper Vicente Guaita against Leicester City. The team has lost just a single match since.

Jordan Ayew spared the Eagles' blushes on Saturday, scoring late in the narrow 1-0 win over League Two side Grimsby. The Mariners played the bulk of the contest with 10 men due to an early red card for Andrew Fox.

Palace are currently 14th in the Premier League standings and will face Watford on Saturday in their next outing. Guaita is expected to return to the starting XI, continuing his solid form as the Eagles try to put some more distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

Wilfried Zaha has signed a new five-year contract that will keep him at Crystal Palace until the summer of 2023.

MailOnline's Glenn Williams wrote that Zaha was set to become the club's highest earner with a new £130,000-per-week deal, and the Eagles confirmed their talisman had penned new terms on Wednesday:

HE'S ALL PALACE!

We're delighted to announce that @wilfriedzaha has signed a contract extension, keeping him at #CPFC 🦅 until 2⃣0⃣2⃣3⃣

More: https://t.co/P6klx4sWCC pic.twitter.com/PRpNMuGVob

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 15, 2018

Summer signing Max Meyer agreed a deal worth £170,000 per week following his arrival at Selhurst Park on a free transfer, but that includes bonuses and a signing-on fee. 

A statement released via the official Crystal Palace website profiled the academy product and his journey through the Eagles' ranks. Having joined at the age of 12, the 25-year-old is one goal from becoming Palace's highest Premier League goalscorer of all time:

Quotes from chairman Steve Parish emphasised the desire to keep hold of the club's own product and an essential star for manager Roy Hodgson: 

"Wilf grew up a stone's throw from Selhurst Park from the age of four and has been with the club since he was 12. This agreement is yet another example of his lifelong commitment to the club, and our commitment to him. This is an amazing day for everyone here at Palace, our supporters and of course Wilf—and is richly deserved."

Zaha was born in the Ivory Coast, the team he represents at international level, though it's clear his London roots are also dear to the player:

South London and proud. Very happy to have signed a new contract with @CPFC 🙏🏿 #CPFC #GodIsGreat pic.twitter.com/r3OmiVobw8

— Wilfried Zaha (@wilfriedzaha) August 15, 2018

An exit this summer would have been Zaha's second time leaving Crystal Palace, having departed for Manchester United in 2013.

However, his spell at Old Trafford was a miserable one and only produced four senior appearances for the Red Devils, spending most of the two-year stint on loan with Cardiff City and Palace. He returned to Selhurst Park on a permanent basis in February 2015. 

OptaJoe gave some insight on the impact Zaha had on Palace's success in the league last season and the motivation that's driven them to hand their star man better terms in south London:

10 - Since the start of 2017-18, Crystal Palace haven't won a single point in the 10 Premier League matches that Wilfried Zaha hasn't started. Of the 29 games he has started, they've averaged 1.62 points per game. Crucial. pic.twitter.com/YakDklWFFO

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 15, 2018

Zaha's new salary is a £20,000-per-week improvement on his previous deal.

Williams' report mentioned interest in Zaha from Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur over the course of this summer, though neither of Palace's Premier League peers would meet his £70 million valuation.

Although primarily a winger, Zaha's prominence in Hodgson's attack has seen him thrive in a free-roaming role of late and even succeed in an adapted striker role for stretches.

Zaha started this season as he ended the last and opened this Premier League campaign by scoring in Saturday's 2-0 win at Fulham, and he'll hope to keep up that form after recommitting to Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace have suspended academy director Gary Issott after allegations he engaged in inappropriate behaviour with members of the U18 squad. 

A report from Matt Hughes of The Times (h/t Aletha Adu of The Sun) revealed Issott has been accused of attempting "to shower with members of Palace's under-18 team after an away match earlier this season."

Hughes described how Palace started an investigation once Marcus Puddephatt, head of safeguarding, received information about Issott from another staff member. Since then, the Eagles' board of directors has responded by sanctioning a series of interviews with "all members of their under-18 squad and their parents about the issue."

Adu noted Issott declined to comment when contacted by The Times. However, Palace did release a statement to the broadsheet detailing how they are investigating the matter while their academy director is suspended:

"Crystal Palace Football Club has suspended its Academy director over a disciplinary matter."

"No complaints were received from members of the Academy or their parents, but the club is carrying out an investigation after receiving information."

The Selhurst Park side also said any findings would be passed on to the Football Association.

Issott has previously been credited with his work developing talent, with forward Wilfried Zaha and Chelsea wing-back Victor Moses among his notable finds, per a 2012 interview with The Independent's Glenn Moore.

Seven games, no goals, zero points. Crystal Palace suffered a horrendous Premier League start this season—but then stunned everyone in the football world by producing a 2-1 win over champions Chelsea on Saturday.

A run of results such as that is the ultimate test of any fan's loyalty, so we tracked down Ben Mintram, a 25-year-old Palace supporter who has been to every game this season.

He gave Bleacher Report the rundown on how it felt to finally see his side hit the net.

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"I didn't realise quite how much I love celebrating goals until my team went five months without scoring one," Mintram said.

"I travel home and away with Crystal Palace and haven't missed a single minute of this season's action. It's fair to say it's been pretty painful—until Saturday, anyway.

"I waited 641 minutes for our first Premier League goal—then two came along at once. It was worth the wait.

"I know people probably think I'm mad at the best of times, spending hundreds of pounds travelling hundreds of miles to watch a football team.

"I don't expect everyone to understand, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Going to watch Palace has become an addiction and part of my life.

"I know some people in London who support Manchester United or Liverpool but only get to watch their team play on TV. I can't really relate to that.

"At Palace, I feel a real connection to the team and part of what actually happens on the pitch. Supporters can really make a difference, and that is something I love about getting behind our players every week.

"I don't really have any major responsibilities in my life right now, so I'm making the most of it. One day, I'll probably have kids and won't be able to do this. So every week it's just a question of how I'm getting to the game, not if I'm going.

"I have been following Palace since I was seven years old, so I'm pretty well-drilled in managing expectation. But I have to admit, I didn't expect us to suffer the worst-ever start in Premier League history.

"We played seven games, lost all of them and failed to score a goal. And what's funny is that I was expecting us to have a good season.

"Before the first game, at home to Huddersfield Town, I was pretty excited. Frank de Boer was our new manager, and I was telling my mates I was optimistic of a push into the top half of the table.

"That dream quickly started to fall apart, as we were beaten 3-0 at home to the newly promoted side, but I put it down to a bad day at the office. We had a new manager trying to implement a new style, and Huddersfield were buoyed by their first game in the Premier League.

"But it was the beginning of the end for De Boer. We went up to Liverpool for the next game and stayed overnight. I spent £40 on a hotel, £30 on the train ticket and another £30 on my match ticket, which is the norm now at away matches.

"Christian Benteke had a good chance to score, but we lost the game 1-0. Generally, we were still in good spirits, and we felt there was no need to panic.

"It was a week later, at home to Swansea City, that the panic did set in. A calamitous moment between Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and defender Martin Kelly summed up our early season, and with the Swans 2-0 up after 48 minutes, we spent the rest of the game resigned to defeat.

"It was a horrible feeling but one that was becoming all too familiar. My season ticket is in the Holmesdale End, and our fans are noisy and usually have belief. But this was beginning to feel different.

"Next I travelled up to Burnley. I actually stayed with a mate in Manchester, and then a group of us shared a taxi to the ground as it was cheapest option.

"We were 1-0 down after just three minutes after another mistake, and even though we had some good chances in the game, they all fell to defender Scott Dann. Again, we lost.

"Our manager lost his job after that game—and not many Palace fans thought that was the wrong decision. Roy Hodgson took over, and because of his success at similar-sized clubs in Fulham and West Bromwich Albion, I could see the sense in it.

"Still, his first game at home to Southampton followed a familiar Palace theme. We conceded an early goal, were devoid of confidence and lost the game. By now, our terrible record had really become a talking point.

"We had become the first top-flight team since 1888 to start a season with five defeats and no goals. At least we were in the record books for something.

"As a fan who goes to every game, I didn't start to question whether I should remain loyal. Going to Palace is what I do, and I had booked up all my trips by then anyway. That was all sorted on the day the fixture list was released.

"And so, a week later, I went to watch us play at Manchester City. I have been to the Etihad Stadium six times before, and I think the aggregate score from those matches was about 23-1. We started this latest game pretty well, but when City scored before half-time, the writing was on the wall.

"We had not sold out our away allocation for the game—no surprise, really. But I was there right to the end of a 5-0 defeat. At this point, it dawned on me I had another trip to Manchester booked seven days later, this time to watch us at Old Trafford.

"I'm not going to lie, travelling to Manchester Piccadilly was beginning to feel more like going to work than going for a fun day out. But nevertheless, I was there for our 4-0 defeat at the hands of Man United.

"I'd say there are about 300 or 400 Palace fans who go to every away game, and you recognise the same old faces. By the end of the United game, we were making fun of ourselves. Our chant to the United fans at the end of the game was 'How s--t must you be—it's only 4-0.'

Things turned around real quick for Crystal Palace 😂 pic.twitter.com/VALDDRB2md

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 14, 2017

"And so on Saturday, we headed back to Selhurst Park to take on Chelsea. I was optimistic in comparison to how I felt about facing City and United but still didn't expect to win—or score.

"The moment we went 1-0 up was totally mad, even though it was actually an own goal. At first, I wasn't sure how to react. After all, it had been a while since this had happened. But then I just got lost in the moment.

"When Wilfried Zaha scored to make it 2-1, I think I went even crazier, along with everyone around me. It was a really good goal and felt special. The atmosphere was amazing, and the whole ground was rocking.

"I still can't believe it turned out to be the winner and that we beat Chelsea. It was an amazing way to end a terrible run of form.

"It's fair to say we celebrated into the small hours. It was great to get to the pub after the game and see people with smiles on their faces again.

"All those disappointing games and low moments were suddenly forgotten, and now the terrible start might actually serve as a good lesson going forward.

"I know I'm never going to forget this season—and I certainly won't be taking goals for granted ever again."

Crystal Palace have appointed Roy Hodgson as their new manager on a two-year deal after sacking Frank de Boer. 

The Eagles made the announcement on Tuesday.

Former England boss Hodgson arrives at Selhurst Park with Palace in the drop zone after De Boer failed to pick up a single point in his four Premier League matches in charge.

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe and James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo were critical of Palace's decisions regarding De Boer and Hodgson:

This does not reflect well at all on Palace’s board/decision-makers.

— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) September 11, 2017

Not sure what's more ridiculous. Sacking De Boer after 4 games or giving the job to Hodgson.

— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) September 11, 2017

The appointment of former Ajax coach De Boer marked a clear attempt to change the philosophy from his predecessors, Sam Allardyce and Alan Pardew, but in appointing Hodgson, that now appears to have been written off as a failed experiment.

The 70-year-old isn't an overly inspiring choice after a disappointing spell with the Three Lions, in which his last match saw them humiliated by Iceland at UEFA Euro 2016.

He's a manager of vast experience, though, having coached around Europe for over 40 years, including spells with Inter Milan, Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool.

His more recent stints with Fulham and West Bromwich Albion will be most relevant to Palace.

He kept the Craven Cottage club up in one of the Premier League's most remarkable relegation escapes as he guided them to 12 points in their final five matches in 2008, and he also took them to the UEFA Europa League final in 2010, which they lost in extra time to Atletico Madrid.

Hodgson spent just 15 months with West Brom but took them from 17th to 11th at the end of the 2010-11 season and then helped them finish 10th the following year.

Similar finishes at Palace would be an improvement on the last two seasons, in which they have battled relegation.

ESPN FC's Michael Cox believes Hodgson to be a strong choice and appreciated the narrative:

Roy Hodgson going back to his hometown club after 51 years away would be an absolutely great story 👍

— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) September 11, 2017

Why? He's exactly the right fit for Palace surely

— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) September 11, 2017

Indeed, Hodgson began his football career at Selhurst Park as a youngster but did not make a senior appearance for Palace before moving on.

The Eagles aren't likely to set the Premier League alight under his tutelage, but as under Allardyce, they can expect to be organised and have a strong chance of staying up.

For Hodgson, the job will offer him a chance of redemption and to potentially end his managerial career on a high note rather than his failure with England.

Crystal Palace have sacked manager Frank de Boer after just four Premier League games in charge of the club. 

The club confirmed the move on Monday morning after the team lost 1-0 to Burnley on Sunday. It was their fourth defeat in four league games, with Palace failing to score in any of those matches. 

BBC Sport's David Ornstein reported the Eagles are set to appoint former England boss Roy Hodgson as his successor:

Crystal Palace sack Frank de Boer as manager & will appoint Roy Hodgson as his successor. Done deal, Hodgson can't wait to get started #CPFC

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) September 11, 2017

Palace snapped up De Boer in the summer, with the Dutchman taking over from Sam Allardyce. While the latter left the former with a robust outfit to work with, the ex-Ajax manager's team struggled during his brief stint at Selhurst Park.

On the opening weekend of the campaign, the Eagles were hammered 3-0 at home by newly promoted Huddersfield Town. It was a result that set a dangerous precedent.

That was followed up by a determined performance but another defeat at Liverpool, 1-0, while the Selhurst Park crowd watched Swansea City roll over Palace 2-0 in Week 3 of the campaign.

Needless to say, the supporters were displeased with the efforts, with no goals scored and six conceded before the international break.

When the Premier League returned, so did Palace's poor form, with the team losing away at Burnley.

As noted by BBC Match of the Day, it's been a long time since a team started the campaign so slowly:

Crystal Palace are the first top-flight team since Preston North End in 1924/25 to lose their opening four matches without scoring.#MOTD2 pic.twitter.com/0eRWibjlDE

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) September 10, 2017

According to Dominic Fifield of the Guardian, the style the Dutchman wanted to implement at the club wasn't popular with players.

It's reported "the playing staff have struggled to adapt to the 47-year-old's demands and desire to play a more possession-based style built around three at the back, and there has been concern raised in the boardroom over perceived naivety due to the manager's inflexibility over tactics in the Premier League."

Such a seismic shift from the blueprint implemented by Allardyce was always going to take time to take effect. It's something journalist Tom Adams noted:

Look at the list of predecessors Frank de Boer has had. Ludicrous to expect him to successfully implement a new style in three games pic.twitter.com/pHLLaWLzVJ

— Tom Adams (@tomEurosport) August 28, 2017

Allardyce later ruled out returning to the club after being contacted by Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish on Monday, via Sky Sports News.

But the club's hierarchy have seen enough of De Boer, who has now been sacked in the early stages of his last two managerial roles; at Inter Milan, he was let go having spent just 85 days in the San Siro hot seat in 2016.

Palace will be disappointed to have made such a marquee appointment in the summer only to see things unravel quickly. It will be fascinating to see what direction the new man, reportedly Hodgson, takes the team in after De Boer's brief stay. 

Crystal Palace completed the signing of Mamadou Sakho from Liverpool on Thursday after he spent four years at Anfield, the Merseyside club announced on their official website. 

Sakho's departure has been inevitable for some time. He fell out with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp last summer and was sent out on loan to Palace in February after not making a single Reds appearance in the first half of 2016-17.

He made an immediate impact at Selhurst Park, playing a key role as Palace comfortably survived relegation under then-manager Sam Allardyce, per Squawka:

Mamadou Sakho since joining Crystal Palace:

6 games 🏃
5 wins 🔥
4 clean sheets 👊

Inspirational signing. pic.twitter.com/O2czLAAEbK

— Squawka (@Squawka) April 10, 2017

Sakho, 27, suffered a knee injury while with the Eagles that ruled him out for the final month of the campaign, but he did enough to catch the eye of many.

A France international and £18 million signing for Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain in 2013, Sakho's pedigree and experience should make him a major asset at Selhurst Park.

He will also likely relish the opportunity to start anew, having spent his final season at Anfield under an unwelcome cloud.

Sakho is only just reaching the peak years of his career, and he could yet be a key part of Palace's first team for the best part of the next decade.

His combative style and physicality will likely make him a firm favourite at Selhurst Park, while he is also comfortable on the ball and passing out from the back.

Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha said Manchester United and Liverpool fans called him a "black monkey" on social media on Saturday.

Zaha posted on his official Instagram account (h/t BBC Sport): "If Man United and Liverpool fans feel better by calling me a black monkey in my messages .. feel free to carry on if it makes your day better."

Zaha posted the comments following Palace's 2-0 Premier League Asia Trophy friendly win over West Bromwich Albion in Hong Kong on Saturday.

Afterwards, Palace manager Frank de Boer accused the Baggies of trying to injure the gifted winger, per the Press Association (h/t the Guardian): "Of course when it's a fair challenge it's no problem, but for example they were really looking for Wilfried Zaha so we cannot accept that."

Earlier this year, former Portsmouth and AC Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari told BBC Sport's David Ornstein (h/t BBC Sport) the governing bodies of world and European football weren't doing enough to tackle the problem: "FIFA and UEFA only care about what they want to care about. If they want to fight racism they should be able to jump right in and tackle it."

Zaha, an Ivory Coast international, is in his second spell with the Eagles after moving to Old Trafford in 2013. He struggled to make the grade with United but has developed into an exciting attacker who can decide matches since returning to Palace on a permanent deal in 2015.