Crystal Palace boss quizzed on strength of squad after transfer window – and makes future formation admission

Oliver Glasner says his current crop of Crystal Palace players have to prove they are better than last season – and is open to the idea of changing formation with the players he has at his disposal.

The Eagles splashed an initial £25million on Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal and replaced Joachim Andersen with French centre-back Maxence Lacroix in a deal that could be worth up to £18m.

Matt Turner and Trevoh Chalobah both arrived on season-long loans on deadline day. 

Ismaila Sarr and Daichi Kamada both joined permanently.

Jordan Ayew was sold to Leicester in a deal worth up to £8m and Palace landed £30m for Andersen in his switch to Fulham.

Sam Johnstone also left to join Wolves for £10m, and Michael Olise left to join German giants Bayern Munich early on in the window.

The Austrian manager has been wedded to a 3-4-2-1 formation since he arrived at Selhurst Park, but the way his squad is set up now could lead to a tinker in tactics.

Glasner said: “We have to prove it – it’s maybe a little bit different. We have different profiles – we have different players. 

“For example, Michael [Olise] is a little bit unique in how he plays. 

“Eddie is different but great. Ismaila Sarr is different but great.

“Daichi Kamada can play in the offensive positions in a 3-4-3. 

“Maybe we can switch in the back four and bring in one more offensive player in the squad we have. 

“If it [the squad] is better or not, I don’t know, but we had our first training session today. 

“It’s a long season and now it’s up to us, and it’s hard work, daily work progressing, developing, analysing and then keep going.”

PICTURE: PA