Oliver Glasner confesses he should have demanded more signings for the “intensity” of the Premier League as Brennan Johnson finalises his £35million Crystal Palace switch
Oliver Glasner has put his hands up and admitted he should have demanded more summer transfers at Crystal Palace(Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Oliver Glasner had admitted he should have demanded extra summer signings at Crystal Palace because the “intensity” of the Premier League causes more injuries. The FA Cup holders were today finalising the £35m signing of Brennan Johnson to bolster a squad depleted by injuries and Ismaila Sarr’s absence at the African Cup of Nations.
The Austrian vented his anger at the lack of transfer activity after the home defeat to Manchester United in late November when he claimed: “It’s the first time in your history that you play European football. So let’s invest instead of saving.”
But the South London club, who sold Eberechi Eze to Arsenal in the summer, are now set to smash their own transfer record by signing Johnson from Spurs. The Wales forward has not been registered in time to face Newcastle on Sunday.
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And Glasner now admits the physical “intensity” of the Premier League – where there is no winter break – should have meant he should have campaigned for reinforcements for the UEFA Conference League.
“There is nobody to blame,” said the Eagles manager. “I was quite harsh once when I said: ‘Ok, maybe we should have added one or two more players given the circumstances. But like always, I am always looking in the mirror and asking: Could you have done better?
Crystal Palace will lose captain Marc Guehi on a free transfer this summer(Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
“I think I should have had a better evaluation of the whole situation that I had in the summer.
“I always talk to the chairman and the board. I think the size of the squad is enough but I did not consider that you could have an issue with your knee, with your foot, Ismaila twisted his ankle and his ligament was partly ruptured. All these situations can help when you don’t have an influence
“And the intensity, especially in the duels in the Premier League, is just higher than in any of the other leagues.
“I should have considered more of these injuries because then I would have been harsher on getting one or two more players in.”
Brennan Johnson is set to become Crystal Palace’s record signing(Image: Getty Images)
Will Hughes was subbed off with an adductor strain during the 1-1 draw with Fulham – Palace’s sixth consecutive game without a win – to join Chris Richards, Daniel Munoz, Daichi Kamada and Eddie Nketiah on the injured list.
They visit Newcastle on Sunday where they lost 5-0 last season.
“They are a high intensity team, especially at home. Pace everywhere. Great, dominant central midfield. We will do our best to do it better than last year.”
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