Crystal Palace spent €77.70m (£64.2m) in the 2024/25 summer transfer window to rebuild their squad after losing key players like Michael Olise and Joachim Andersen. Maintaining quality while balancing player turnover is crucial for clubs like Palace, who often face challenges in retaining their best talents.
A vital part of this process is controlling the wage bill. Clubs need to ensure their highest earners justify their salaries with performances that match their financial investment.
Palace’s Highest Earners
The club’s top earner, Daichi Kamada, joined on a free transfer this summer. The Japanese playmaker, signed from Eintracht Frankfurt, has made 15 appearances across all competitions, contributing two goals and two assists in 883 minutes of play.
Eberechi Eze, the team’s standout performer, and goalkeeper Dean Henderson also earn £100,000 per week, underscoring their importance. Other notable earners include Eddie Nketiah (£90,000) and Jefferson Lerma (£70,000).
Top 10 Earners at Crystal Palace
Player | Wages (£/week)
— | —
Daichi Kamada | £105,000
Eberechi Eze | £100,000
Dean Henderson | £100,000
Eddie Nketiah | £90,000
Jefferson Lerma | £70,000
Cheick Doucoure | £70,000
Ismaila Sarr | £70,000
Jeffrey Schlupp | £60,000
Chris Richards | £55,000
Will Hughes | £50,000
Notably, Rob Holding, earning £45,000 per week, is absent from this list. Despite his wages, the defender has become a forgotten figure at the club, earning more than players like Tyrick Mitchell, Adam Wharton, and Daniel Munoz.
Why Rob Holding Must Be Sold
Holding was signed in 2023 for £4m, with chairman Steve Parish praising his “tremendous quality” and Premier League experience. At the time, Holding’s versatility as a central defender and right-back was seen as an asset.
However, the 29-year-old has only made one appearance for Palace. Reports suggest he has been frozen out following a disagreement over a post-match running session in August.
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Under new coach Oliver Glasner, Palace has shifted to a three-at-the-back system with attacking wingbacks. Players like Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guehi, and Trevoh Chalobah have secured central defensive roles. Even when those options are unavailable, Glasner has opted for Nathaniel Clyne or Jefferson Lerma over Holding.
Additionally, Holding lacks the pace and attacking prowess needed to play as a wingback in Glasner’s system. His current wages and lack of involvement make him an obvious candidate for a January transfer. Selling him would free up resources to invest in a player better suited to Palace’s tactical approach.
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