Crystal Palace’s recent identity has been built on defensive organisation, with Oliver Glasner and Roy Hodgson providing a dependable platform for the team’s attacking players. That foundation has been badly weakened this season, with Palace conceding almost 2.5 goals per game and currently projected to allow 92 goals.
That figure would be the highest in the Premier League since Sheffield United conceded 104 goals in 2024. The numbers have caused significant concern within the club, where there is also a view that Pierre Sage’s system and methods have contributed to the defensive problems.
Sage has had to work with a significantly altered back line. Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Munoz have all been lost within a six-month period, while the three centre-backs who started Sunday’s 5-0 defeat by Brighton included 20-year-old Jaydee Canvot and 18-year-old Honest Ahanor.
There has also been criticism of Palace’s defensive recruitment during the summer. Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben Chilwell and Oscar Mingueza joined on free transfers, while Axel Disasi and Ahanor arrived on loan. Palace’s ability to strengthen was limited by the difficulty of meeting Uefa’s financial regulations, a factor understood to have contributed to Munoz’s £22m move to Nottingham Forest.
Those circumstances may provide context for Sage’s situation, but they have not reduced the pressure facing the Frenchman. Palace now have a Europa League trip to Besiktas followed by a Premier League home match against Newcastle, giving the manager an immediate chance to alter the mood around the club.
Two positive results could offer Sage an opportunity to build momentum, but further defeats may lead Palace to conclude that a change is necessary.
