Oliver Glasner has explained that Romain Esse’s lack of playing time for Crystal Palace is due to the fierce competition among the club’s attacking players. The Austrian manager reassured the England U20 international that his opportunity will come.
Esse joined Palace in January for £14.5 million from Millwall, signing a five-and-a-half-year contract. He impressed immediately, scoring with his first touch as a substitute in a 2-1 defeat to Brentford. However, he has played only one minute of Premier League football in the last seven matches.
Glasner acknowledged Esse’s desire for more playing time but emphasized the challenges of keeping everyone satisfied in such a competitive squad. He noted that Esse has been working hard in training and encouraged him to stay ready for future opportunities, especially with five matches coming up in two weeks.
The competition is fierce, with Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr occupying key attacking roles. Matheus Franca, who returned from a 10-month injury, has moved ahead of Esse in the pecking order after impressing, including scoring a late goal in a 1-1 draw at Southampton.
Glasner highlighted that the team’s attacking options are now fully available, and each player is contributing. He mentioned that Esse’s time would come, just as he had an impactful moment in his debut match, and stressed the importance of staying humble and working hard.
Esse has had more opportunities in the FA Cup, including over 25 minutes against Doncaster and Millwall. Despite his transition from regular Championship starts to limited Premier League minutes, Glasner is confident that Esse will make his mark when the time is right.
With Eddie Nketiah’s recent red card, Esse may get a chance in upcoming matches, potentially against Manchester City. Glasner emphasized that Esse is still adjusting to the faster pace of the Premier League but is working hard to maintain his skills and prove his worth.
Leave a Reply