Eddie Nketiah reflects on move to Crystal Palace, lack of minutes and future possibilities

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

After scoring his first Premier League goal for Crystal Palace on Tuesday night, Eddie Nketiah followed it up with his second strike in five days, making it 3-1 to the Eagles as they saw off Millwall in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Both goals came from the bench as the player, who grew up in Deptford, has found his time limited in South London so far thanks to the blistering form of fellow striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

After starting eight of the first nine games since signing from Arsenal in late August, Nketiah has started just a solitary game – against Stockport in the FA Cup on January 12 – since November 2.

“It’s been a change,” the 25-year-old said. “I’m happy with my move, happy with the decision I made. It’s not gone exactly how I maybe would have wanted it, I would have liked to play a lot more minutes, but these things happen.

“It’s difficult to come on with little minutes and pick up that kind of form. I would like to play more, there’s no hiding that, but these things happen in life and you’ve just got to stay ready. I try to work as hard as I can in training to make sure when I get opportunities like today (against Millwall). I’m ready to take them.

“My team-mates have been really supportive of me, so I’m really grateful for that. “I’m always ready. I’ve been ready, and I keep working hard to make sure I’m ready whenever I get my opportunity.

“I’m improving every day. That’s the most important thing. I’m coming out of my comfort zone and if I get more experience and more exposure, I’ll be able to adapt and help the team as much as possible.

“Most of the teams play 4-3-3 in a Premier League, so I’m able to play up front, off the striker or wherever the manager needs me to help with. Any forward in the world would say the same, especially strikers, [that] you need rhythm. I just want to be on a pitch helping my team-mates. It was nice to be able to get out there today, and the most important thing was to win.”

And despite his own limited time, Nketiah had time to praise the efforts of teammate Ben Chilwell, who joined the Eagles last month on loan until the end of the season from Chelsea, and who was playing his first game for nearly a year.

“Every player wants rhythm and it’s the same for Ben,” Nketiah said to the South London Press. “He’s a top player – we’ve seen what he’s done in his career, what he’s achieved.

“He’s a really good lad, and it was nice for him to come out there and do really well today. We’re going to need everyone, so we’ve all got to stay ready.”

Last season, Nketiah made his England senior debut, appearing against Australia in October 2023 and while the former Arsenal striker has not ruled out a return to national team action, his first priority is to extend the season as long as possible with the Eagles.

“Everyone wants me to help Palace as much as possible and that’s the aim,” said the Lewisham-born player.

“I want to be out there on the pitch playing and helping the team as much as possible. I just try to improve every day. I’ve got a really good environment to do so at Palace with great players and a good manager to push me every day. Hopefully there’s still a lot of football left to play, and I’ve got to keep trying to make it hard [to not] give a reason [not to] to be on the pitch and help the team.

“Football changes but I always have that faith in the ability I have,” added Nketiah when reminded about his England call-up last season. “When I was playing last season, you could see where I could get to when I had the rhythm.

“When you have difficult periods, you have to remember back and know that if you keep working hard and you have the ability, you know your time will come – maybe not exactly when you want it, but you have to keep the faith and keep working.

“But I’ve got a lot to do at Crystal Palace before I start thinking about that (England). I’ve got to be out there playing and the rest will come.”