Pierre Sage’s difficult start at Crystal Palace has reportedly created tension with the club’s hierarchy. According to the Daily Mail, president Steve Parish was unhappy with the French coach’s decision to leave Jaydee Canvot out of the squad for Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat to promoted Ipswich.
Canvot, 20, joined Palace from Toulouse for €23 million at the end of the 2025 transfer window. The France Under-21 international had become a regular during the second half of last season following Marc Guehi’s move to Manchester City, and Sage had selected him in the starting XI for Palace’s first three Premier League matches this term.
However, Sage dropped the defender after judging his previous performance against Fulham to be below the required level and expressing concerns about his commitment in training. The former Lyon manager described the decision as a sporting one, while making clear that he expected a stronger response from Canvot.
Sage had previously left Dwight McNeil and Evann Guessand out against Fulham, a decision that had reportedly been welcomed by Palace’s leadership. The approach was viewed less favourably in Canvot’s case because the young defender is considered an important part of the club’s project.
The defeat by Ipswich was made more difficult by Axel Disasi’s 34th-minute dismissal. Palace are also without Ismaïla Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta following their failed departures during the summer. Sage has recorded one Premier League victory alongside three defeats since arriving from Lens, as well as a League Cup win, and his early position has reportedly placed him among the managers considered most at risk in bookmakers’ sack-race assessments.
