OLIVER GLASNER has revealed the reason why Eberechi Eze has not featured for Crystal Palace on their European debut.
The Eagles were expecting their talisman to feature in tonight’s Europa Conference League qualifier against Norwegian outfit Fredrikstad despite transfer interest from Tottenham.
Terms had been agreed between the two clubs over a deal worth around £60million, though Palace were yet to confirm the deal due to wanting Eze to play in the crunch clash.
However, on Wednesday evening, Arsenal hijacked the race to buy the 27-year-old.
It was then exclusively revealed by SunSport that Eze would NOT feature for Palace at Selhurst Park.
And Palace boss Glasner has now lifted the lid on why Eze is not involved.
Speaking to Channel 5, he said: “Honestly, I expected that he would start today for us.
“But he called me this morning and told me that he doesn’t feel well to play.
“I have to accept it and everything else you have to ask the chairman.”
The Austrian coach admitted the decision left him very frustrated ahead of the landmark fixture, particularly with the call coming on matchday.
He added: “You don’t like to change your starting XI on matchday.
“Especially in this situation when it’s the first time in European football for Crystal Palace.
“But again, we have to deal with it.”
Meanwhile, frontman Jean-Philippe Mateta said the squad would simply need to deal with the England international’s absence.
The Frenchman said: “We know he’s a very good player, one of the best in our group. Everyone knows this.
“He’s not going to be here today but we have a big group of talented players that will give 100 per cent.”
And the 28-year-old led by example by scoring Palace’s first-ever European goal as he headed home in the 54th minute, which turned out to be the match-winner on route to a historic first-ever European victory for the Eagles.
Palace chairman Steve Parish also commented about the Eze transfer, telling Channel 5: “It is what it is.
“He has been fantastic, we all love him for what he has achieved and are pleased he will go on and fulfil other ambitions he has got.
“We’ve got to move past it. We are pleased he’s going on to fulfil other ambitions he has got.”
He also spoke about the future of Marc Guehi, who has also been linked with a transfer away from Palace with one year left on his contract.
Parish added: “If Marc wants to sign a new contract then he can stay! It’s a difficult situation.
“Everyone has to sell players to comply with the rules. That’s a situation that we will have to look at in the next 11 days.”
The return leg in Norway will be played out on August 28, by which time Eze is likely to have completed his switch from south to north London to join the club he supported as a boy.
Arsenal accelerated their plans to move for Eze following the news of Kai Havertz’s knee injury, which could leave the German sidelined for months – though the extent of the injury is not yet clear.
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