Eddie Nketiah’s First Season at Crystal Palace: A Mixed Bag Seven Months In
After rising through Arsenal’s Hale End academy, Eddie Nketiah made 168 senior appearances and scored 38 goals for the Gunners — a solid return that marks him as one of their successful youth products.
He broke into the first team alongside talents like Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka, saving the club significant money by stepping up as a reliable squad option. Then, like Smith Rowe, Nketiah departed in summer 2024, securing Arsenal a decent transfer fee by joining Crystal Palace for around £30 million.
A Tough Start in South London
Expectations were high when Nketiah arrived at Selhurst Park, but the transition hasn’t been entirely smooth. Despite showing flashes of promise early on, it took him 11 Premier League appearances to register a single goal contribution — an assist against rivals Brighton.
By late April 2025, Nketiah has just one league goal (against Aston Villa in a 4-1 win) and two assists — one coming from a won penalty — across 24 appearances. He’s only started seven league games, with Jean-Philippe Mateta (13 goals) ahead of him in the pecking order under manager Oliver Glasner.
His case wasn’t helped by a red card just 10 minutes after coming off the bench against Brighton in April — a low point in a frustrating campaign.
Still, Nketiah has fared better in the cup competitions. He’s netted twice in three FA Cup appearances, helping Palace reach the semi-finals, where they’ll again face Villa. But Mateta is expected to start that tie as well.
Reputation Intact Despite Inconsistency
Despite limited impact on the pitch, Nketiah is still well-liked within the club. His attitude and work ethic have earned praise from teammates, including captain Marc Guehi. Palace podcaster HLTCO summed it up: “You don’t hear a bad word about Nketiah — a model professional, well-liked, hard-working, never complains.”
He received a 6/10 rating for his most recent appearance — a 15-minute cameo against Bournemouth with Palace down to 10 men. Journalist Bobby Manzi suggested he could start the next league match against Arsenal, particularly with a busy schedule and the FA Cup semi-final looming.
His season has been a rollercoaster — from looking dangerous off the bench against Southampton to being sent off days later in a derby vs Brighton. One fan humorously captured the sentiment:
“Nketiah: I don’t even know what to say. £30m has been a letdown, but he came on vs Brighton, kicked someone in the face, and got sent off. Low-key cult hero.”
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