Crystal Palace’s defensive identity has been badly disrupted this season, leaving Pierre Sage facing growing scrutiny after Sunday’s 5-0 defeat by Brighton.
The club’s recent progress under Oliver Glasner and Roy Hodgson was built on organisation and defensive stability. Palace are now conceding close to 2.5 goals per game and are on course to allow 92 goals this season, a figure that would represent the highest total in the Premier League since Sheffield United conceded 104 during their 2023-24 campaign.
There have been significant changes to the personnel available at the back. Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix and Daniel Munoz have all departed within a six-month period, while the defensive unit used against Brighton included Jaydee Canvot, aged 20, and 18-year-old Honest Ahanor among the three centre-backs.
Those absences provide context for Sage’s situation, but there is also concern within the club that his tactical system and approach have contributed to Palace’s defensive problems. Some supporters have questioned whether the summer recruitment in that area has strengthened the team sufficiently.
Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben Chilwell and Oscar Mingueza joined on free transfers, while Axel Disasi and Ahanor arrived on loan. Palace’s options in the transfer market were restricted by the difficulty of complying with Uefa’s financial regulations, with those pressures understood to be among the reasons Munoz was sold to Nottingham Forest for £22m.
That financial backdrop does not lessen the importance of the next two matches for Sage. Palace travel to Besiktas in the Europa League before hosting Newcastle in the Premier League. Two positive results could help the Frenchman begin to restore confidence, while further defeats may leave the club considering whether a change is required.
