Age versus talented inexperience: Will Palace boss turn to Kporha or Clyne for EFL Cup tie against Arsenal?

BY ALEX PEWTER

Ahead of the first of two back-to-back fixtures against Arsenal this week, Crystal Palace will be without suspended wing-back Daniel Munoz.

The Colombian international has been ever-present this season, starting all of the 16 Premier League fixtures.

Munoz’s absence leaves manager Oliver Glasner with two obvious options as his replacement, at opposite ends of their professional careers.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s EFL Cup match, Glasner was asked about 18-year-old prospect Caleb Kporha, who made his professional debut as a late substitute against Fulham near the start of November.

“Yes, if we stay in the same shape, it’s a decision I have to take between Caleb and Clyne,” said Glasner. “Of course, it’s 18 vs 33 – inexperience vs experience. We don’t have other options in a wing-back position, but we can play a back-four. We had Ismaila Sarr there before instead of being a winger.

“There are things we’ve had in our mind, and we have already been watching Arsenal yesterday in great detail, so let’s see who plays tomorrow.”

If Kporha were to start, there would be obvious parallels between the two players, as Nathaniel Clyne, who started at Old Trafford 13 years ago in that role aged 20, featured in the last EFL Cup quarter-final the team competed in.

Glasner was asked if Clyne would lend his experience to Kporha if that is the choice made during this busy run of matches.

“Yes, I’m really liking this group,” said the Palace chief. “Everybody supports each other. No one is jealous if another plays in these positions. Caleb didn’t play many minutes in the past weeks or months, and neither did Clyne. We now have two games against Arsenal within three days. I don’t expect them to play both full games, so for now, it’s who starts and who ends the game. Then maybe we will switch in the next.

“I’ve had some busy days, so I will take my time to make the final decision – rest this evening, and tomorrow I will tell the players.”

Kporha initially joined the Palace U16 squad from non-league Welling United, going on to sign his professional contract when he turned 17 in July 2023.

A dynamic right wing-back, who also has success inverting from the opposite flank, is well suited to this system and formation. His rise from early U18 team success to the U21s was curtailed by a hamstring injury that held him out of playing for most of last season.

Yet, given his relative lack of game time and experience in his formative years and injury setback, his quick progression to the senior squad is a credit to his talent and speaks to the coaching staff’s assessment of his potential.

Should he get the nod, his first start will be on one of the largest stages in the country. That may seem like the deep end, but he only needs to ask Nathaniel Clyne how that can work out.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD