As the summer transfer window slammed shut, Crystal Palace had managed to secure seven loans for seven youth prospects.
Palace made the interesting and possibly unwise decision to keep academy star Jesurun Rak-Sakyi with the senior squad. Last season Jesurun had a successful campaign with League One Charlton Athletic and this year rather than finding a potential suitor in the Championship for the player to develop even more, Palace decided to keep him as a “squad player” in the senior team.
The unwise nature of this decision looked ever so clear when the Eagles travelled to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, where it is fair to say the player looked massively out of his depth. However, John-Kymani Gordon headed out on loan on Deadline Day to Cambridge United after spending the first couple of games with the senior squad.
Before moving out on loan this summer, Killian Phillips and Scott Banks signed contract extensions with the club suggesting both players could be involved in the club’s future. The club managed to secure some high-quality loan moves for the young Eagles including League One’s Port Vale and Wycombe Wanderers plus German Second Division side St Pauli.
We start our loan round-up with Owen Goodman (on loan at Colchester United), who has made a high-flying start to life in League Two.
Since joining the U’s, Owen has made ten appearances and has looked impressive between the sticks. Goodman debuted against Championship Cardiff City in the first round of the EFL Cup, where he certainly impressed, making seven saves and saving a penalty in the shootout. Unfortunately for Goodman, the U’s were knocked out 3-0 on penalties; however, his performance on the night was man of the match worthy.
Goodman’s form has followed in the league, keeping two clean sheets and making 3.6 saves per game. Goodman has conceded fifteen goals; however, this is not overly concerning as this is below the xG conceded, although he may have been frustrated with Bradford City’s equaliser and MK Dons’ opener and winner. Goodman is also ranked second in League 2 for the most goals prevented (2.3) and has featured twice in the EFL League Two team of the week. In their 5-4 win over Notts County, Goodman started off a fantastic team move, which resulted in Colchester scoring the winner (video below).
Scott Banks (on loan at St. Pauli) had the worst possible start to his season. Banks did his ACL on debut and unfortunately, he is expected to be out for the rest of the season.
John-Kymani Gordon joined Cambridge United on Transfer Deadline Day, a move lasting until January. Ahead of his move, Gordon spent the first four games of the season on the bench for Palace. Gordon has featured five times for Cambridge (4 league and 1 cup) and has contributed one assist; however, he has yet to start in the league. Gordon’s only start so far came in the 2-0 EFL Trophy defeat to Peterborough, where he played 45 minutes and was Cambridge’s biggest threat. It remains to be seen when Gordon will get his first league start.
Luke Plange (on loan at Carlisle United) has had a mixed start to life in League One, making 10 appearances in all competitions (6 starts) with just one goal, which came in Carlisle’s 1-1 draw against high-flying Lincoln. Carlisle currently sits one point above the relegation zone, with Plange averaging 45 minutes per game.
Killian Phillips (on loan at Wycombe Wanderers), Palace’s Irish-holding midfielder, has made a relatively quiet start to life in League One with early Playoff Contenders Wycombe. Phillips has proven himself as a capable midfielder at the young age of 21, as exemplified by his fantastic loan spell at Shrewsbury last season and his strong performances during his time in the academy. However, he just hasn’t been given a real shot at Wycombe yet, with just three starts and five appearances off the bench. During his little time on the pitch, Phillips has averaged a pass accuracy of 74% and made 1.6 ball recoveries per game, but he has yet to be given a true chance to shine.
Kofi Balmer (on loan at Port Vale) has had a good start to life in League One. Port Vale currently sits in the playoffs, with Kofi Balmer being an important part of that in the back three. He has made six appearances in all competitions, keeping two clean sheets with a pass accuracy of 83%. Balmer has won 75% of his tackles and has made zero errors leading to goals. Balmer has featured in six consecutive games for Port Vale and looks to have become a mainstay on the team. The feeling is that if he can keep these numbers up throughout the season, he will bring some invaluable experience back with him when he returns to Copers Cope. As well as a strong start in the league, Port Vale have made it to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after defeating Sutton United in the last round. They will face Mansfield Town in the round of 16 with a spot in the quarter finals on offer, where some mouth-watering ties could await Kofi Balmer and his Port Vale team.
Malachi Boateng (on loan at Dundee) has had a brilliant start to his time in the Scottish Premiership, making seven starts, helping to guide his team to a win and four draws, with two defeats coming against Celtic and St Mirren. Boateng has a pass accuracy of 75% per game, 1.4 interceptions, 1.1 tackles, 2.1 clearances, 5.4 ball recoveries, and 0.6 dribbled pasts per game. Should Malachi have started as he means to go on, then he could be set for an exciting season.
In the middle of September, the club announced that Kelvin Agho (who has yet to feature for the Palace academy) would join FK Voždovac on loan until the end of the season. The player has not yet featured for the Serbian side.
Information correct as of 02/10/23 5pm
