Crystal Palace deadline day deal 'imminent' as Chelsea 'agree' loan deal for £50m man

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner expressed his delight after watching his side score twice in the second half to claim a 2-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

The result moved Palace above the Red Devils and kept them three points ahead of Spurs, who had won 2-0 at Brentford. The victory came on the eve of transfer deadline day as the Eagles look to get a last-minute deal over the line to bolster their defence. Since losing 5-1 to Arsenal before Christmas, Palace have kept five clean sheets in their last eight games and only conceded four goals in the three other games with a 2-1 loss to Brentford the only defeat in that run.

Despite the impressive streak of form, the Selhurst Park club are set to bolster their defence further after it was reported that a loan deal was imminent for the arrival of Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell.

Chilwell ‘agreement’ confirmed

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on X that a medical was scheduled for Chilwell at Palace on Monday with the ex-Leicester City left-back ready to accept the move. The Telegraph and Sky Sports have also reported the deal has been agreed. Chilwell has been virtually cast out of the Chelsea squad by Enzo Maresca with the 28-year-old’s only appearance coming in a Carabao Cup win over League Two Barrow back in September. He joined the Blues from Leicester City for £50m in 2020 and has already worked under a number of managers at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking about leaving the player out this season, Maresca said earlier this month: "Because players want to play more so there's probably chances for them to leave. But Ben has been top. I have to say that, he has been top. Very professional, works hard. I feel shame because of that situation, but in terms of behaviour, he has been very good."

On why Chilwell was not playing, Maresca said: "First of all, because it is my choice. And because I can see Malo Gusto, Reece James or Marc Cucurella doing different kinds of jobs during the game. I think Chilwell is a top full-back, doing that job up and down and given opportunities in the past to win titles and be in the national team, but I struggle to see Ben doing different kinds of things."

Glasner hails defence after Old Trafford win

After his side’s win over Manchester United, Glasner expressed his delight with how his team defended at Old Trafford. He reflected: “I’m absolutely delighted. All the credit to the players – a big performance today. The game was how we expected it. And also, to be honest, we had some minutes at the beginning, some minutes at the start of the second-half where we had to survive. Especially after half-time, we needed Dean Henderson and two big saves.

“But overall we defended so well today as a group and didn't give them too many set-plays. They were really good. We knew that we would get our chances, we would get our situations. We already had them in the first-half, but we didn't take them. At half-time, we showed them the situations, and said: ‘guys, stay patient, this will be [possible] again’. And so it happened that the players stayed patient, always kept believing that we will get chances, that we will get opportunities to score.

“And then the opener was the set-play, and then again we defended well and were waiting for this transition, and then it was an amazing transition. Starting with Adam Wharton, it was a one-touch pass to Ismaïla Sarr, and then really accelerating the pace of our attack. Daniel Muñoz, I think, made an 80-yard run again in the 85th minute, and JP [Mateta] was there where he has to be, and decides the game for us. A big win, big performance – I'm really pleased.”

In other news, Chelsea and Tottenham have reportedly agreed upon a loan deal for defender Axel Disasi. Though, a deal is not straightforward.