When Eberechi Eze left Crystal Palace for Arsenal this summer, few believed the Eagles could quickly replace his creativity, flair, and goal-scoring impact. The England international had been the heartbeat of Palace’s attack, producing 40 goals and 28 assists in 169 appearances and sealing his name in club history with that unforgettable FA Cup-winning strike at Wembley.
Yet just a few months later, Ismaïla Sarr has emerged as the talisman Palace needed — a dynamic force revitalizing the team’s attacking identity both domestically and in Europe.
The Senegalese forward, signed from Marseille for around £12.5 million in 2024, has hit eight goals in 15 appearances this season, including a decisive brace in Palace’s 3-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
The win — Palace’s first European home triumph — reaffirmed their growing reputation as one of the competition’s title contenders.
Sarr Steps Out of Eze’s Shadow
Replacing a fan favorite like Eze was always going to be daunting. Yet, Sarr’s speed, confidence, and attacking intelligence have helped Palace transition into a new era with surprising smoothness.
On Thursday night at Selhurst Park, Sarr’s performance was nothing short of electric. From the opening minutes, he looked dangerous — striking the post, drawing a penalty after being brought down by AZ goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, and persistently tormenting defenders with his movement.
Although teammate Jean-Philippe Mateta failed to convert the spot-kick, Sarr refused to let the momentum slip. Moments before halftime, he pounced on a rebound to open the scoring, before combining with Mateta again to double his tally in the second half.
His brace, coupled with an all-action display, earned him praise from former Palace defender Joel Ward, who lauded Sarr’s “unplayable pace” and “composure under pressure.”
“Sarr is flying,” Ward told TNT Sports. “When there’s space for him to attack, there aren’t many defenders who can live with him. He’s so important in this system — especially when Mateta drops deep, opening space for runners like Sarr. He’s a nightmare to mark.”
Palace’s Smart Business Paying Off
Crystal Palace’s recruitment in recent seasons has quietly transformed them from a mid-table side into a legitimate European threat. The signing of Sarr — initially intended to replace Michael Olise after his big-money move to Bayern Munich — now looks like one of the smartest transfers in recent club history.
Under manager Oliver Glasner, Palace have developed an identity built around fast transitions, pressing, and exploiting wide spaces — the perfect environment for a player like Sarr to flourish.
Glasner, who guided the team to FA Cup glory last season, hailed Sarr’s adaptability and mentality after the Alkmaar win.
“Sarr is an important player for us,” said Glasner. “He has great pace and timing, and he’s always making runs that create space for others. He reminds me of his finishes last season against Brighton and Arsenal — calm, confident, and clinical. He’s handling the responsibility very well.”
A New European Ambition
The victory over AZ Alkmaar was more than just a group-stage win — it was a statement. After a disappointing defeat to AEK Larnaca in their previous home fixture, Palace needed to reassert themselves in front of their fans, and they did so with authority.
Selhurst Park buzzed with energy as the final whistle blew — a reflection of how far Palace have come under Glasner.
“The first win in Europe at home is always special,” Glasner reflected. “The atmosphere was incredible, and I hope it’s not the last. The players and supporters deserved this result.”
With two English sides having lifted the UEFA Conference League trophy in the past three years, Palace are now seen as one of the frontrunners to bring it back to the Premier League.
Sarr’s form — four goals in his last three games — has been crucial to that rise. His combination of explosive speed, tactical intelligence, and finishing ability gives Palace a new dimension in attack, easing the creative void left by Eze and Olise.
What’s Next for Sarr and Palace?
With Palace balancing European fixtures and Premier League duties, Sarr’s consistency will be key to maintaining momentum. If he continues this form, a 20-goal season is well within reach — a milestone that would place him among the top African forwards in Europe.
His performances have already begun to attract interest from top clubs across the continent, but Glasner insists Palace’s focus remains collective.
“We’re building something together,” the Austrian coach said. “Sarr is part of a project — a growing team that believes it can compete with the best.”
As the Eagles continue their impressive European journey, one thing is clear: while Eze may have flown north to Arsenal, another star is soaring high in South London.
🦅 Crystal Palace 2025 Season Highlights
- Ismaïla Sarr: 8 goals in 15 appearances
- Jean-Philippe Mateta: 6 goals, 4 assists
- UEFA Conference League: 3-1 win vs AZ Alkmaar
- Manager: Oliver Glasner
- Next Fixture: Premier League clash vs Aston Villa
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