Team News: Richards update & team selection plans pre-Arsenal
Oliver Glasner says Chris Richards will miss Palace’s final Premier League fixture this weekend at home to Arsenal – and will need a late assessment ahead of next Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League Final.
Heading into his last two matches as Crystal Palace Manager, Glasner delivered a press conference previewing both occasions: the visit of the title challengers Arsenal to SE25 this Sunday (24th May), before the Eagles’ first-ever European Final in Germany three days later.
Beginning with an update on Richards, who was in discomfort late in our penultimate game against Brentford, Glasner said: “Chris will miss the Arsenal game as well, and it’s now 50/50 for him and for us if he can play in the Final in Leipzig.
“He tore two ligaments in his ankle. Fortunately we have four, I think, so it’s stable, but quite swollen, and we have to deal with the swelling. He has to get back on the pitch to be available, and it will be a race against time.
“He is in from the morning, from sunrise until sunset having treatments and everything we can do that reduces the swelling, and of course we have a great medical department, so we will give our best and he will give his best – and then let’s see if we can get it done.”
The Manager was also queried about whether he would rotate for the visit of Arsenal, who earlier this week were crowned Premier League winners, ahead of next Wednesday's historic European Final.
For us, it makes it a bit easier that the league is already decided
—Oliver Glasner
Glasner noted: “First of all, I want to congratulate Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, his players and staff, for their huge achievement winning the title after 22 years. It’s a fantastic job they have done and also special congrats to Eberechi [Eze].
“For us, it makes it a bit easier that the league is already decided, just regarding the questions about preparations, because I mentioned we have to think about what’s best for us and to be in the best possible shape on Wednesday.
“We have not decided finally what we’re going to do. A few things need to be considered. [For example] the weather has changed – it should be 29 degrees on Sunday afternoon and also be hot in Leipzig, where it could go to extra-time, so what's best? Can players play 90 and 120 again within three days at the end of the esason? Is it better [to play] players to keep in rhythm? We have many things to decide, but I’m pretty sure we will find the best way.
“I change my opinion three times a day – from full rotation, to no rotation, to half rotation [of my team]! And every starting line-up has positive sides and negative sides.
“I personally have so many negative experiences with big rotations, I mentioned this, and one we all experienced this season was KuPS [Kuopio] and Leeds two days later. I started two separate XIs in two days, and it was one of our worst performances at Leeds with, on paper, 11 fresh players.
“I had this two or three times before at my other clubs. That’s why I think we won’t rotate 11 players, but of course it makes sense for a few to see how they are, probably playing 45 minutes each, with two or three subs at half-time, staying in rhythm.”
Match Details
Crystal Palace v Arsenal
- Sunday, 24th May
- 16:00 BST
- Premier League
- Selhurst Park
- Live audio commentary on Palace TV+.
Crystal Palace v Rayo Vallecano
- Wednesday, 27th May
- 20:00 BST UK time / 21:00 CEST local time
- Leipzig Stadium, Germany
- Live audio commentary on Palace TV+
- Visit our Conference League Final Hub