FootballTransfers reported that Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage is under pressure after a 5-0 loss to Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday, with Palace's failure to replace Maxence Lacroix presented as a factor. Palace travel to Besiktas in the Europa League on Thursday before hosting Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Defensive issues after Lacroix exit
Chelsea signed Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace for €60.7million (£51m) in the summer. FootballTransfers said Lacroix has gone on to make a solid impact for Chelsea, who are currently fourth in the Premier League table.
The Daily Mail said Palace failed to sign an adequate replacement for Lacroix. The Daily Mail’s Bobby Manzi said Chelsea loanees Honest Ahanor and Axel Disasi have struggled to fill the void left by Lacroix at Palace.
Pressure on Sage
Sage replaced Oliver Glasner as Palace head coach in June. According to The Guardian, Sage has been told he must improve Palace’s leaky defence if he is to avoid losing his job in the next few weeks.
The Eagles have won four of their 10 games under Sage this season.
Recruitment attempts and Manzi's comments
The Guardian reported in September that Sage wanted Palace to sign Joel Ordonez as a replacement for Lacroix, but they were unable to agree a deal with Club Brugge. Palace also made attempts to sign Augsburg’s Chrislain Matsima and Raphael Le Guen of Brest, but both pursuits came to nothing.
Bobby Manzi writes: "Two centre backs arrived after the season started, despite Palace selling England international Marc Guehi in January without a replacement and losing France international Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea during the World Cup."
Bobby Manzi writes: "Not only did those signings arrive too late, leaving Sage limited time to implement his ideas amid a hectic schedule, but both represented a significant downgrade."
Bobby Manzi writes: "Palace received £72million (€85.7m) for Guehi and Lacroix but replaced them with an 18-year-old loanee in Honest Ahanor and Chelsea cast-off Axel Disasi."
Bobby Manzi writes: "Disasi, to his credit, significantly improved West Ham’s defence in the second half of last season, albeit as a wide centre back."
Bobby Manzi writes: "At Palace, he has been forced into the middle simply because they lack a natural option for the role. It is, quite frankly, poor squad planning."
Bobby Manzi writes: "Ahanor is an exciting prospect but remains a work in progress."
Upcoming matches
Chelsea are looking to make it three league wins in a row when they host Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.