Аудит состава Crystal Palace: стоит ли продавать Адама Уо...

The composition of Crystal Palace does not require fundamental changes. With only two players out of contract this summer, few are keen to leave the club and there are no obvious gaps in the starting line-up that urgently need to be filled. However, success in the Conference League last season and its impact on results in the Premier League highlighted the lack of depth in the squad. Due to the absence of Ismaila Sarr at the Africa Cup of Nations, as well as injuries to Daichi Kamada, Daniel Muñoz and Eddie Nketiah during the winter, the team's performance deteriorated and Palace struggled to secure a 13th consecutive season in the top flight, falling well short of their points record. Now, with the appointment of Pierre Sage to replace Oliver Glasner, the club will be assessing their options and approach to the summer transfer window. The Athletic conducted a position-by-position audit of Palace's squad, examining who they intend to retain and which players are at risk of being left without a contract.

Goalkeepers
Save: Dean Henderson (contract until 2028), Remy Matthews (2027)
Henderson has stood out as the club's clear number one and captain since the sale of Marc Guei to Manchester City in January. He is an integral part of the team. Unless he receives an offer he can't refuse, the 29-year-old goalkeeper will remain with the team for next season. Matthews joined the club as a free agent after ending his contract with Sunderland in 2021 and spent just one season on loan at Scottish club St Johnstone in 2022-23.He was brought in as a third goalkeeper to be used in emergencies if the other two goalkeepers are unavailable. With two promising young goalkeepers in Joe Whitworth and Owen Goodman set to fare better in regular football in the FA, there is no pressure on the 32-year-old to leave the club.
Uncertain: Walter Benitez (2028)
The Argentine joined Palace last summer as a free agent after ending his contract with PSV. He was expected to be a back-up goalkeeper, perhaps playing in cup competitions and pushing Henderson for the number one spot. He was also signed as an opportunistic choice. Benitez could become number one if a significant bid comes in for Henderson, but Palace could also sell him for a profit.

Central defenders
Save: Chris Richards (2027), Jaydee Kenvoth (2029), Chadi Riad (2029)
Palace's back three are resilient. Despite the loss of Guei, they held their ground and had it not been for poor results when the Conference League was prioritized over the Premier League at the end of the season, they might have set a club record for the fewest goals conceded. Kenvoth has become a very bright talent. The 19-year-old will be a key figure next season under Richards, whose experience and strong performances will be important under the new manager.Riad has recovered well from two serious injuries that forced him to miss the best time of the season and a half. His performances have yet to reach the same heights as Kenvoth's, but that's to be expected. The 23-year-old will be a useful rotation option and backup. Uncertain: Maxence Lacroix (2029)
Lacroix is committed to playing at the highest level and his performances have continued to improve since joining from Wolfsburg two years ago. It's incredibly reliable. This allowed the Frenchman to get his debut for the national team and take a place in the country’s squad at the World Cup. Palace won't want to lose him and the 26-year-old still has three years left on his contract, so there's no real pressure to sell. But this summer there may be offers for his services. His ambitions, plus the departure of Glasner, who previously coached him at Wolfsburg, make his departure not so improbable.

Midfielders
Save: Jefferson Lerma (2027), Will Hughes (2027), Justin Devenney (2027), Cheick Doucoure (2029)
Palace have activated Lerma's contract extension for another year, which makes sense as he can cover the centre-back position and is still useful as a defensive midfielder. Squad depth is important, so allowing a 31-year-old to leave the team would be unwise. The same goes for Hughes, whose persistence and determination have been important this season. Moreover, he is an important figure in the dressing room.As an experienced player, his opinion is considered useful in understanding the mood of the team and whether there are problems. Devenney is capable enough as a backup, offering depth at a relatively low cost. Doucoure was once the club's best midfielder but has made just 13 appearances since rupturing his Achilles in November 2023 and subsequently damaging his meniscus in January last year. The 26-year-old is likely to stay while he continues his recovery in the hope that he can be useful in the future.
Uncertain: Daichi Kamada (2026), Adam Wharton (2029)
Kamada has become an important player in Palace's midfield, but his contract is ending and he is considering an offer to stay. If Glasner takes up another position soon, the 29-year-old could take the Japanese with him. Midfielder Wharton will certainly attract interest this summer. Palace would only sell him for a hefty sum, with any price for Nottingham Forest's Eliot Anderson likely to be the measuring stick, although Wharton won't attract such high bids. A sale would help fund a squad overhaul for the next cycle, but Palace would prefer to keep the 22-year-old for another year.

Forwards
Save: Ismaila Sarr (2029), Eremi Pino (2030), Brennan Johnson (2030), Jorgen Strand Larsen (2030)
Although Johnson has struggled to adapt since his January move, he has the support of the club's management.Strand Larsen, another winter signing, has impressed and if Jean-Philippe Mateta remains, the pair will provide Palace with excellent options in attack. Although Pinault has not had the best season, he will be an important player and after a year in England he can start the new season well, hoping to adapt successfully. Sarr has no reason to leave the club. The player of the season and top scorer is happy with his position at Palace and has no desire to leave. Uncertain: Jean-Philippe Mateta (2027), Eddie Nketiah (2029), Matheus Franca (2028)
Mateta's contract expires next summer but Palace believe there may be value in him and the 28-year-old should be kept unless the club agrees to an asking price - likely similar to the £30 million ($40.3 million) Milan were initially prepared to pay in January. Recruiting forwards is difficult. Established forwards are expensive and promising young players are unpredictable. Mateta returned from a knee injury and performed well, benefiting from competition from Strand Larsen. Nketiah has spent much of the season with a hamstring injury and although he was close to a £27 million move to West Ham United in January, the injury scuppered the deal. That is why there is unlikely to be any serious interest in the 27-year-old this summer. If there is one, Palace will consider selling. Franca spent last season on loan at Vasco da Gama.What happens to him may depend on how Saj views his options and whether he believes the 22-year-old would be useful depth in a No.10 role. Likely to leave: Jesurun Rak-Saki (2027), Roman Essay (2030)
Rak-Saki almost left the club last summer, but the details of the deal were not finalized. He ended up going on loan. With a year left on his contract and no real prospect of playing for Palace in the Premier League, the 23-year-old is unlikely to stay. Essay will not leave the club permanently but is likely to spend next season on loan to gain more first-team experience after making 18 appearances for Coventry City in the Championship last season.