‘Ludicrous’, ‘Mental’ – Crystal Palace fans blown away by ‘best player on the pitch’ vs KuPS
Crystal Palace supporters found one major positive from their disappointing European night against KuPS on Thursday.
Daichi Kamada joining Daniel Munoz on the treatment table summed up exactly why Oliver Glasner deployed multiple youngsters in the Europa Conference League, but it now appears to have backfired.
The injury crisis threatened to get worse when Christantus Uche went down injured in the first half, and the Eagles will have to feature in the play-offs if they are to reach the round of 16.
It was a huge night for the likes of George King, Dean Benamar, Kaden Rodney, and especially Joel Drakes-Thomas, who showed the home fans why he has skipped age groups to the senior team.
Joel Drakes-Thomas takes his chance at Selhurst Park
With Palace being denied a penalty for handball, they were forced to settle for a single point – a frustrating end to a frustrating night. Nonetheless, one youngster took his chance to shine.
One supporter saw enough to demand he be “in that first-team squad immediately,” with another stating that he was the “best player on the pitch,” even after the cavalry came on in the closing stages.
- @henryswainjourn: “Get Joel Drakes-Thomas in that first team squad immediately. He’s absolutely superb, searching for a goal, and senior players are looking for him; he was magnificent.”
- @lnrclr: “Drakes-Thomas is absolutely phenomenal.”
- @TOPAv05: “Joel Drakes-Thomas, even with this draw that might as well be a defeat, this football session will stay for some time in my mind. 16-year-old bossman.”
Drakes-Thomas’ performance by numbers vs KuPS
Being given the entire 90 minutes, the 16-year-old had nowhere to hide, but even when things got hard, he put on a brave face and was an example for his teammates instead.
He became the third-youngest player ever to debut for the Eagles, and his stats prove why Glasner trusts him.
Drakes-Thomas created two big chances, fired off three shots, completed 100 per cent of his dribbles, won 100 per cent of his tackles, made four recoveries, and won 62 per cent of his ground duels [FotMob].
If he is to be physical enough for the Premier League, the youngster will need to develop a lot more, but it was a fantastic first outing for the academy product, who is playing beyond his years already.
Youngsters at the club will be keen to follow in the footsteps of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, and if he is given enough game time over the coming seasons, the Eagles might have another serious talent on their hands.