Crystal Palace Welcomes New Era on a Bittersweet Night
A Historic Moment Amid Mixed Emotions
Crystal Palace fans experienced a rollercoaster of emotions on Thursday night as their team stepped onto the pitch at Selhurst Park for their first European fixture in nearly three decades. The 1-0 victory over Fredrikstad in the UEFA Conference League play-off marked a historic milestone—Palace’s first-ever win in European competition. Yet, the celebrations carried a tinge of sadness as supporters faced the impending departure of their beloved playmaker, Eberechi Eze.
The atmosphere was electric before kick-off, with fireworks illuminating the night sky and fans roaring in anticipation. However, many arrived wearing shirts with Eze 10 on the back, holding handmade signs thanking the midfielder for his unforgettable contributions. His absence from the squad only heightened speculation that a move to Arsenal is imminent—a reality manager Oliver Glasner confirmed post-match.
Ebs will not play for us anymore, so it does not make sense to talk about him, said Glasner. We wish him all the best at his new club. For us, the focus is on bringing in new players—though they won’t be eligible for the second leg.
A Long-Awaited European Return
Crystal Palace’s last venture into Europe was 27 years ago in the Intertoto Cup—an often-mocked competition dismissed by many English clubs as insignificant. That forgettable campaign ended in a 4-0 aggregate defeat to Turkish side Samsunspor. This time, however, feels different. The Conference League represents a genuine opportunity for Palace to forge an exciting European legacy.
Jean-Philippe Mateta etched his name into history, scoring Palace’s first-ever European goal with a decisive header early in the second half. While the Europa League would have been the initial target, the Conference League still offers the Eagles a platform to compete for meaningful silverware—something West Ham and Chelsea have successfully done in recent years.
Glasner, who led Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022, is no stranger to European success. It’s an important win—our first in Europe, he stated. We are on track.
Silverware and European Controversy
This historic night comes at the end of a remarkable year for Crystal Palace, who lifted the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2025. Their FA Cup triumph over Manchester City in May ended decades of waiting for a major trophy, while the Community Shield victory against Liverpool further cemented their resurgence.
However, their European journey took an unexpected twist when UEFA demoted them from the Europa League to the Conference League for breaching multi-club ownership rules. Despite an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the decision stood, leading to palpable frustration among fans. Anti-UEFA banners were displayed at Wembley during the Community Shield, and similar protests were seen at Selhurst Park on Thursday night.
A Squad in Transition
Eze’s exit has long been expected, but Crystal Palace must now navigate a challenging transfer window to ensure their squad remains competitive. Chairman Steve Parish acknowledged the situation with pragmatic optimism.
We have to move past it, Parish said. Eze has been fantastic, and we’re happy he’ll achieve his ambitions elsewhere. Now, we need to find the right players to strengthen the team under Glasner.
Defender Marc Guehi, entering the final year of his contract, could also be on his way out, with Liverpool reportedly interested. If Marc wants to stay, he can sign a contract, Parish added, before acknowledging the financial complexities of European football. Player retention is crucial—losing key assets for free isn’t ideal.
With the transfer window closing soon, Palace have been linked with several reinforcements, including Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet, Leicester’s Bilal el Khannouss, and Club Brugge’s Christos Tzolis. The next few days could prove pivotal in shaping their season.
What Lies Ahead for Crystal Palace?
As the Eagles prepare for the second leg against Fredrikstad on August 28 and the looming transfer deadline, the club stands at a crossroads. One era—defined by Eze’s brilliance—has ended, but another, filled with European dreams and fresh talent, is just beginning.
For Crystal Palace, the past year has been unforgettable. Now, the challenge is to ensure this bittersweet night marks not an ending, but the dawn of an exciting new chapter.
