Oliver Glasner has been handed a team selection dilemma ahead of upcoming London derbies against Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham.
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Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham look likely to face a Crystal Palace side without key centre-back Chris Richards after the defender was stretchered off against Arsenal.
The Eagles fell to defeat at the hands of the Gunners but made it dramatic, levelling in injury time and taking the tie to penalties. It was eventually Maxence Lacroix, who had scored an own goal to put Arsenal ahead, who saw his penalty saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Richards, who has started every Premier League game so far this season and only not completed the 90 minutes on one occasion, was carried off after 74 minutes at the Emirates Stadium in worrying scenes.
The 25-year-old joined Crystal Palace from Bayern Munich for €12 million in 2022 and has been praised for his improvement under Oliver Glasner. The Eagles have conceded just 19 goals in the league so far this term, fewer than Liverpool and Manchester United, who both sit above them in the division.
Crystal Palace star stretchered off against Arsenal
Speaking about Richards in October, Crystal Palace forward Eddie Nketiah praised his teammate. He said: “Someone who I’ll probably give a big shout-out to, I think, who through this run has been fantastic is Chris Richards. I think his consistency levels have been amazing.
“Every game he’s always there, he’s always fighting, he’s always winning his duels. I think he’s had a really good run in the team and he’s been, as with the other players, pivotal to the success that we’ve had.”
Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham set to face Eagles side without Chris Richards
With a squad already stretched given their involvement in the Europa Conference League and Carabao Cup, as well as in the Premier League, the absence of Richards comes as a big blow for Crystal Palace. A firm timeline on any lay-off remains to be known, but the need of a stretcher is not a good sign for the USA international.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, reporter John Murray said: “There's a lot of blood on the top of Richards' foot. It looks like a serious cut. How has that happened?
“The lower part of his sock is white hence why we can see the considerable blood coming through. This is another blow for Palace, who can scarcely afford it.”
Upcoming opponents Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham will now prepare to face a makeshift Eagles back five. Glasner turned to Nathaniel Clyne from the bench against Arsenal, who could fill in again at centre-back in the coming weeks.
Crystal Palace host Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon before then welcoming Fulham to south London on New Year’s Day.
In other news, Oliver Glasner makes 'weak' Crystal Palace admission ahead of Arsenal cup clash.