Oliver Glasner delivers explanation for summer signing having limited Premier League starts

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner says Ismaila Sarr’s Premier League starting chances have been hindered due to his impact off the bench.

The 26-year-old joined the Eagles from Marseille in the summer in a deal worth £12.5million, with sporting director Dougie Freedman a long-term admirer of the Senegalese international.

Sarr has started just once under Glasner since penning a five-year deal at Selhurst Park, playing the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 defeat at home to Liverpool.

The former Watford winger also impressed when he came on as a half-time substitute in the 0-0 draw with Manchester United, forcing Andre Onana into a great save to deny Palace their first three points of the season.

Glasner said: “It’s maybe a little bit of a problem for him because he’s always had such a great impact as a sub for us.

“Always when he came into the game, he had a very positive influence. You’re always thinking about what can happen during a game and what you need during a game, and then you look to see what players you have on a bench.

“I always say to the players: ‘Usually, in the crunch time in the end, you have three, four or five players, you have 50 per cent of your [starting] players changed.’

“It’s important for us to think: ‘When we need an attacking threat, who has the best energy as a sub?’

“Ismaila has shown he can have a very positive influence on our attacking way of playing. He got the penalty against Leicester and created chances.

“He’s doing well. He had a big chance against Man United – it was a great save from Onana as well.

“He creates chances for others – he could have three or four assists against Man United.

“But, for an assist, you need a scorer. At the moment, we don’t have a scorer. 

“He’s ready and is in good shape.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD