Chris Richards has now reacted to news coming from Crystal Palace – and it’s not related to any transfers.
While the Eagles are admittedly busy on the recruitment front amid impending deals to bring Chadi Riad and Daichi Kamada to Selhurst Park, something else has now happened in the meantime.
So, what development at Crystal Palace has Chris Richards reacted to? Let’s take a look…
Chris Richards reacts to development at Crystal Palace
As Dougie Freedman closes in on Riad and Kamada, Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta have been named in the France squad for the Olympic Games by Thierry Henry.
The 46-year-old was blessed with an immense pool of talent to choose from after Didier Deschamps left a number of superb players out of his UEFA EURO 2024 squad.
Olise and Mateta are joined by the likes of Warren Zaire-Emery, Alexandre Lacazette and Mathys Tel in Henry’s squad, with France surely favourites to win the gold medal.
After Crystal Palace shared the news on Instagram, Richards replied “fantasticcccc” – in tribute to Mateta’s now trademark method of celebrating a win.
What games could Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta miss?
While it is nice to see Mateta and Olise recognised for their brilliant displays in the 2023/24 campaign, their participation in the Olympic Games will disrupt preparations for next season.
Not only will the pair miss the majority of Oliver Glasner’s pre-season plans, but they could even be late for the start of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
The final of the Olympic men’s football tournament falls on Friday 9th August.
Crucially, the new Premier League season kicks off on Saturday 17th August – so unless Mateta and Olise sacrifice their own personal time off, they are likely to miss the first game of the new campaign, if not the opening two matches.
With Marc Guehi, Ebere Eze, Dean Henderson and Adam Wharton all potentially away with England at UEFA EURO 2024 as well – depending on who survives when Gareth Southgate names his final squad – Glasner could well be without a number of key players throughout the summer.
READ MORE: Two players with 442 appearances combined for Crystal Palace could now be sold this summer
Ultimately, international commitments come with the territory for any successful side, so it should be taken as a positive that so many of our players are representing their nations this summer.
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