Ben Chilwell sends message to Crystal Palace fans pre-Man City clash
Ben Chilwell’s message for Crystal Palace was clear as Oliver Glasner’s side prepare for one of the biggest games in their history.
With just two games left of the Premier League season, Palace can’t finish drop than twelfth in the table and could yet record an eighth-placed finish if all results go their way in the final two matchdays this campaign.
Such a finish – however unlikely with Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth and Fulham ahead of them – could see Glasner‘s side seal a European place next term, but that’s not the only opportunity they’ll get to qualify.
Saturday will see the Eagles face Manchester City in the FA Cup Final with a chance to win major silverware for the very first time, and after two previous defeats, Palace fans will hope they can make it third time lucky.
Man City cup final to define Crystal Palace’s season
Chilwell only arrived at Selhurst Park in January on a loan move from Chelsea for the rest of the season, but has already become part of the furniture in South London with nine appearances in all competitions so far.
Although Man City qualified for the final with a comfortable win over Nottingham Forest, Palace had already reached the decider in style by thrashing Aston Villa 3-0 with Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr at the forefront.
| Competition | Winning Years | Runners-up |
| Championship | 1978–79, 1993–94 | 1968–69 |
| Third Division | 1920–21 | 1928–29, 1930–31, 1938–39, 1963–64 |
| Fourth Division | 1960–61 | – |
| FA Cup | – | 1990, 2016 |
| Full Members’ Cup | 1991 | – |
Football Insider have revealed that Eze is well within City’s sights ahead of the transfer window and they could soon launch a bid to sign him, but Eze, Chilwell and the Palace squad’s focus is fully on Wembley.
After Palace produced an impressive away display to beat Tottenham 2-0 on Sunday, Chilwell posted on his Instagram story (12 May) with a look ahead to Saturday’s decider, in which he said: “Wembley next…”
FA Cup Final success key to Crystal Palace transfer plan
A first major trophy in Palace’s history could prove to be a defining moment as the Eagles look to the future, with Steven Parish under pressure amid the boardroom rumblings of John Textor and co at Selhurst Park.
Palace are also braced for transfer bids this summer with Eze and other key players popular figures on the market, after Football Insider revealed that City have also weighed up an £80million bid for Adam Wharton.
Chilwell’s loan deal at Palace doesn’t include an option to make the move permanent, but if he can lift the FA Cup as part of Glasner’s side, it’s likely the 28-year-old will want to stay put for next season and beyond.