Crystal Palace boss says summer signing is ready to make Premier League step

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner says summer signing Chadi Riad is ready to step into the starting line-up in the Premier League.

The Moroccan centre-back arrived in a deal worth £12m plus £2m in add-ons from La Liga side Real Betis this transfer window. 

Ex-Barcelona youngster Riad, who made 30 appearances for Betis in all competitions during the past campaign and helped them finish seventh in La Liga, started on the bench in the opening day defeat at Brentford.

However, the 20-year-old could be in line for his first professional start after Joachim Andersen, 28, was sold to Fulham in a deal worth up to £30million.

“Yes, he is – absolutely,” said Glanser when asked if Riad was ready for Premier League life:

“We have a lot of competition in every single position. 

“We have him. Rob Holding is fit. Jefferson Lerma can play in the back and did really well [there last season]. Nathaniel Clyne can also play there.

“We also have to see the whole picture. One of West Ham’s biggest strengths is set plays, so we need tall players who can defend them.

“It’s now to find the best mixture for us on how we want to play and also to defend West Ham.

“Chadi is ready. The players who arrived back very late [from international duty], we can see, are getting into a better physical shape now. We have more options for the West Ham game.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD