It’s been another action-packed week for Crystal Palace’s young sides, with plenty of goals, drama and an insight into the running of the club itself – check out all the news from the next generation in our latest Academy round-up.
An inspired performance from Victor Akinwale saw Palace Under-18s stroll to a 6-1 victory over Aston Villa at the Academy ground.
Akinwale scored a hat-trick as what initially looked a tight encounter turned into a dominant performance for Rob Quinn’s side.
Ademola Ola-Adebomi, Jadan Raymond and David Ozoh were also on the scoresheet, as the young Eagles remain just six points behind leaders West Ham United with two games in hand.
Palace’s Under-23s have demonstrated their strength on the road in recent outings, but their six-game away unbeaten record came to an end at Elland Road on Monday night.
An inspired performance from Leeds United’s Crysencio Summerville saw the hosts run out 4-0 winners, a first defeat away from home for the Eagles in five months.
Paddy McCarthy’s side now sit sixth in the Premier League 2 Division 1, only behind Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference.
With plenty of promising young players being rewarded for their fine form with international recognition, Academy Director Gary Issott gave an insight into how the club manages their commitments.
“There used to be a bit of a club v country battle because the domestic leagues clashed with the international breaks,” he wrote in a recent programme column.
“That changed recently so that the domestic programme collapses when the internationals take place; that removes clubs’ self-interest and means there’s no fear of players losing their domestic club place due to their international commitments.
“We want the boys to benefit from international football, so we fully encourage them on the journey. The majority of players want to play for their countries, and any of them will tell you there is no greater pride than doing so – at any level.”
Nathaniel Clyne told the matchday programme against Arsenal how much the club’s Academy has changed since his development as a young player.
“With Palace being in south London and the facilities we have, hopefully we can get all the best players from south London and not let them go off to other academies,” he said.
“Showing we are bringing through players to the first-team will definitely have the youngsters in their mind that: ‘Okay, look, Palace are bringing through Academy players to the first-team, so if I go there I can get a chance.’ That’s a big thing.
“When I was watching players that were similar to my age, they were getting in: John Bostock, Sean Scannell, Victor Moses. When you see players you’ve played with make it through to the first-team, that’s the biggest eye-opener you can get.
“They were once with you, but now they’re there. If they can be there, I can be there. That’s the way you see it.”
Rob Quinn’s title-chasing Under-18s have a huge clash awaiting them this weekend, as they take on fellow challengers Southampton away from home.
The Saints sit a point ahead of Palace in second place, and victory would be a huge result for either side – you can follow exactly how the boys get on with the match broadcast LIVE on Palace TV+.
