Crystal Palace staged a remarkable comeback to secure a 2-2 draw against reigning champions Manchester City, and the performance of summer signing Matheus Franca did not go unnoticed.
Despite arriving for a substantial fee in the summer, Franca has seen limited playing time under manager Roy Hodgson, with minimal appearances even as a substitute. However, a midfield injury crisis, sidelining key players like Jefferson Lerma, Cheick Doucoure, and Eberechi Eze from the starting XI, provided a rare opportunity for younger squad members. Among them, David Ozoh shone off the bench, and Matheus Franca delivered an impressive performance.
Roy Hodgson, speaking post-match, praised the 19-year-old, acknowledging his noteworthy contribution. Hodgson revealed his previous conversations with Franca, expressing confidence in the young talent whenever given the chance.
“The ones that came on in the end, in particular Franca… he had a very good cameo,” Hodgson remarked. “I’ve been expecting that. I’ve said to him on many occasions ‘when you get your chance ‘you’ll be okay’… Before that, we were reliant on [Jeff] Schlupp and Jaïro Riedewald, who did an excellent job for us.”
Matheus Franca, an attacking midfielder who claimed Wilfried Zaha’s shirt number, has yet to start a game for Palace despite the significant investment made in his acquisition. With Palace grappling with an injury crisis, there is a call for Franca to be given more opportunities, possibly in a central midfield role. The recent display against City showcased his potential, and there is a growing sentiment that providing him with more playing time could further aid his development as he strives to establish himself in the team.
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