‘Won’t take a lot of adaptation’ – Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson makes Matheus Franca admission

Roy Hodgson does not believe Matheus Franca will need a lot of adaption to the Premier League as the Crystal Palace attacker is set to be involved in his first matchday squad for Saturday’s Premier League clash at Newcastle United.

The 19-year-old joined the Eagles in the summer in a deal that could rise to £26million from Flamengo.

Franca has been absent since joining the South Londoners due to a stress fracture detected in his back during his medical.

The Brazilian U20 forward has travelled with the team to Newcastle.

When asked what qualities sporting director Dougie Freedman told the former England boss about Franca’s qualities, Hodgson said: “He thought he had all the skill set necessary to become a good player in the English Premier League.

“But of course, he’s like me – realistic. He understands also that we have to transport someone from where it is a very different game of football.

“I don’t know how many games you have seen between two Brazilian teams. I have seen one or two – it’s a very different style of football.

“Sometimes Brazilian players who come here find it easy to adapt, less so.

“He’s the type of guy who won’t take a lot of adaptation. We’re still excited to see the level of skill he can bring to the team. 

“We’re not basing our expectations or what we think of him on what has been said or written, we’re doing it on what we have seen on the training field and what we intend to see when he gets onto the field of play for the first team.”

PICTURE:  CPFC