Crystal Palace

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea defender Axel Disasi has been given permission to visit Crystal Palace for a medical as talks progress over a season-long loan move.

Palace have emerged as the leading contenders to sign the France centre-back, 28, with all parties open to completing a deal.

Negotiations are continuing over the size of the loan fee.

For Palace, Disasi would become the club's seventh signing of the summer under new manager Pierre Sage as he reshapes the squad.

Sage begins his reign with a trip to Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are aiming to reduce their squad size from about 40 players to closer to 25 during the final 10 days of the transfer window.

Alongside Disasi, Omari Kellyman and Deivid Washington are nearing moves to partner club Strasbourg, while Benoit Badiashile has had a medical with Napoli.

Disasi spent last season on loan at West Ham, who were interested in making the deal permanent. However, an agreement could not be reached after the Hammers were relegated to the Championship.

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Being a Crystal Palace fan last season must have been a frustrating experience (in the league at least) as their team missed so many chances, resulting in only the bottom two sides Wolves and Burnley scoring fewer than their 41 goals.

While they only ranked 13th for shots, Brentford were the only side to create better chances on average which gave Palace the eighth-highest expected goals figure at 58.4.

As a result, Crystal Palace scored an incredible 17 goals fewer than they should have given the number and quality of chances they had.

That doesn't just make them the worst finishers in the Premier League last season, but the worst out of all 96 teams in Europe's top five leagues.

Given that they were pretty solid at the back, if Palace had simply taken their chances at the rate of an average Premier League side, they would have been likely to finish in the top half rather than in 15th place.

France defender Axel Disasi, 28, is closing in on a loan move from Chelsea to Crystal Palace. (Sun), external

Manchester City have enquired about the availability of England midfielder Adam Wharton but their approach has been rebuffed by Crystal Palace. (Sun), external

Tottenham are eyeing a move to sign France striker Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

In the Premier League last season, 13 of the 20 teams finished with between 40 and 60 points - the most in an English top-flight campaign since 2003-04 (also 13).

Was the Premier League so competitive in 2025-26 because the quality of the 'lesser' teams got better or the top teams got worse? It is hard to know for sure.

Given how savvy clubs like Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth are, the vast amounts of money that enable even bottom-half sides to sign the best talent from abroad and the Premier League's current dominance of the Europa League and Conference League, it would seem to be the former.

However, the fact that promoted play-off winners Sunderland were able to finish above 13 teams in their first season back suggests the league was maybe not as strong as we think.

What we do know is that whether because they got worse or their opponents got better, four of the sides that finished in the top seven in 2024-25 - champions Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest - took 79 points fewer between them last season.

While Forest's decline was perhaps expected given their incredible seventh-place finish in 2024-25 and their journey to the Europa League semi-finals last season, the others were far more surprising.

Sunderland and Leeds smashed the recent run of promoted sides struggling to compete by taking 64 more points than the teams they replaced in the top flight.

As a result, this season will be a bit of an upside-down one in that Bournemouth, Brighton and Sunderland have European campaigns to navigate while Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle do not.

Will we therefore see a bounce-back to the more 'traditional' order in 2026-27 or are we truly entering a new, fiercely-competitive era of the Premier League?

Read more on the Premier League's competitiveness

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League opener against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Sage said he was "very happy to begin" as the club can connect with fans again but stressed the Eagles need to "bring the best version" of themselves to "compete" against Everton.

• A "late decision" will be made on captain Dean Henderson's fitness. The goalkeeper "suffered a little twist of the ankle" against Freiburg but it is hoped he will be available.

• Sage says "everybody could play" at Hill Dickinson Stadium with no major injuries to report. He said: "I will have to make some choices, but this is the nature of the job. It is a good problem for me because when I have choices, I can anticipate a lot of scenarios and I have lots of options."

• On how the club's new signings are settling in: "They are discovering how we want to play at the moment and they are in a good position in that aspect. We are happy they are here so we can integrate them into the team now and make them Crystal Palace players."

• Sage expects "maybe one or two" more incomings before the summer transfer window closes.

• However, he explained: "We don't want to take a player who isn't for us, that's why it isn't a case of sorting it within one or two days. We have to work with these guys for the rest of the season, so sometimes it is better to wait than to take the first player that comes along."

• Crystal Palace will need a centre-back "first and foremost" after Maxence Lacroix's departure. He wants a player who has "a lot of experience in the Premier League" and is a "leader".

• When asked if that player could be Axel Disasi, who is expected to leave Chelsea this summer and has been linked with the Eagles, he replied: "It is difficult for me to speak about a player of another club. I hear the same noise as you [the media]."

• Sage did not confirm whether Manchester City have enquired about Adam Wharton's availability. Instead, he offered: "He is capable of playing at any big club, whether that is here or anywhere in Europe, but I believe one more year with us and our new dynamic will be good for him."

• He added: "We need him, that's why I think he will stay with us."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Palace? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Alex Howell and Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport

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Jefferson Lerma has agreed a new two-year contract with Crystal Palace.

Lerma, who joined the club in 2023, was entering the last year of his contract but has now agreed to an extension which will keep him at the club until 2028.

The 31-year-old has made 121 appearances in all competitions since he arrived at Selhurst Park following the expiration of his deal at Bournemouth.

The Colombian international has been part of the most successful period at the club and played an important role in the teams that won the FA Cup in 2025 and the Community Shield and Conference League last season.

He will provide vital experience to a Palace side who have lost leaders Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi while Lerma is also able to play both in midfield and defence and will give flexibility to new manager Pierre Sage.

Lerma has made 70 appearances for Colombia and started all five of their games at the World Cup before their exit in the Round of 16.

Last season: 15th.

This season: 11th.

Maxence Lacroix is a big loss in central defence, while the manager who inspired their FA Cup and Conference League wins, Oliver Glasner, has also gone.

In his place comes the highly regarded Pierre Sage, whose performance at Lens - where he became Ligue 1's manager of the year - was good enough to attract attention from Liverpool.

This is still a squad with class in all areas, from goalkeeper Dean Henderson through to Adam Wharton in midfield and Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr in attack.

If they can fight off any late advances for their top players, a good season lies in store - and, perhaps, another cup challenge.

• Read more of Phil's predictions

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Teams in the bottom half of the Premier League in 2025-26 finished with more points than they had in years, meaning that judging them simply by their position in the table is perhaps a little harsh.

Everton may have been underwhelmed with their 13th-place finish but it was the most points a team in that position had finished with since the Toffees themselves in 1999-2000.

The points of the four places below them were all the highest they have been in the Premier League for 23 years and West Ham can consider themselves unlucky to have gone down with the highest points total for an 18th-placed side since 2010-11.

However, competition has come at a cost.

One place where the Premier League has become less competitive - because it has become more fiercely-contested overall - is at the very bottom.

While it is almost expected for one side to be cut adrift long before the end of the season, nowadays two sides are getting left behind.

The average points tally of the second-bottom side in a 38-game season is 31, meaning teams that finish there have usually competed in a relegation battle for most of the season before ultimately falling short.

After the Premier League was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, only two 19th-placed sides failed to reach 30 points in the first 21 seasons. But in the past decade, seven of the 10 sides to finish in that position have failed to do so.

In the past two seasons, promoted sides Ipswich and Burnley have both finished there with just 22 points - the fewest ever taken by a second-bottom side.

Relegation battles are now mostly a fight to see who takes the final spot in the bottom three, with the other two accounted for long before the final day - often by promoted sides.

But inspired by the survival of Sunderland and Leeds, promoted trio Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City will all be hoping they have what it takes to match the competitiveness of the Premier League this season.

Read more on the Premier League's competitive numbers

We asked for your views on the arrival of Zavier Gozo and Crystal Palace's transfer approach this summer.

Here are some of your comments:

Elias: I am happy that we are spending money on players this summer and preparing for the Europa League, but I don't see why we would get another attacker. On a personal note, I would have liked to see a new midfielder or maybe an experienced defender. Even if we needed an attacker, it probably would have been good to get a veteran who has played European football. But I still hope that he does well for us and that he can be a good boost off the bench or a starter in cup games.

Les: It's exciting to see fresh new blood in the side. Zavier Gozo looks a little overwhelmed with signing for Palace, but a move like this will take time for him to settle. A good prospect for the season.

John: Hopefully Jean-Philippe Mateta and Adam Wharton stay. We would also like another centre-half, preferably a Axel Disasi loan from Chelsea. If that all happens, we have had a good summer. Pierre Sage's got a hard act to follow.

Steve: Really pleased to see Palace signing young players with the potential to grow and develop. I hope Zavier Gozo is given time to adapt to the Premier League, and given many minutes on the pitch. Looking forward to seeing him light up the league.

Derek: It's all very well signing new players, but we still need to address the centre-back position vacated by Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix.

Image source, CPFC

New Crystal Palace signing Zavier Gozo says fans can expect dynamism in his play.

The 19-year-old forward has left Major League Soccer (MLS) side Real Salt Lake and penned a five-year contract at Selhurst Park in a deal worth $15m (£11.1m).

Gozo has scored six goals and provided four assists in Real Salt Lake's first 16 league games of the year, with his form also earning him a call-up for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game.

"I'm really looking forward to playing in the Premier League with Crystal Palace," Gozo, who is the Eagles' sixth summer signing, told Palace TV, external. "It is the dream of any footballer.

"I'm excited by the people and the project they have going on here. I'm interested to see how they can develop me and obviously help me get to where I want to be. The people and the club environment are top.

"I would describe myself as a dynamic player. I like to run in behind but I also like to run with the ball, dribble, shoot and score goals.

"The success of this club recently is what excites me as well. I'm excited to play and score some goals for this team.

"I used to wake up every morning to watch the games. Me and my brother used to watch all of the Premier League highlights with my dad. It's crazy to think that I could be in those highlights now!"

Are you happy with Pierre Sage's new addition? How do you feel about Crystal Palace's transfer approach this summer?

Get in touch with your views here

Eli Junior Kroupi, Igor Thiago and Nico O'Reilly were among the breakout stars who made their mark on the Premier League last season - but who will be next?

BBC Sport's TV and radio commentators have picked 13 players they believe are worth watching out for over the next few months.

Crystal Palace's Oscar Mingueza is on the list ...

Image source, Getty Images

Age: 27 Position: Defender Country: Spain

Conor McNamara: Mingueza did not make Spain's World Cup-winning squad, but the standard was incredibly high. Pedro Porro was first choice right-back and, with Marcos Llorente and Marc Pubill also able to cover that position, Mingueza was left to rue what might have been.

After allowing his contract to run down at Celta Vigo, the defender has joined Crystal Palace on a free transfer, which might just prove to be one of the signings of the summer. I commentated on Mingueza playing for Spain at the Nations League finals a year ago and he is very impressive at turning defence into attack.

With Daniel Munoz's future at Selhurst Park up in the air, Mingueza could be a ready-made replacement for one of Palace's most effective players of recent seasons.

If Munoz stays, Mingueza has the versatility to play anywhere across the back line.

Find the full list of possible breakout stars here

Fancy testing your football prediction skills? With the new season under way, BBC Sport has just the thing to keep you entertained every week.

After the success of our World Cup Predictor game, we've rebranded it for the club season as Match of the Day Predictor.

It's simple to play - just predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

And don't worry if you've joined late - players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Once you've submitted your predictions, you'll also be able to see what others think the outcome of the match will be.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or click here to play

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Last season, the Premier League was arguably more competitive than it has been for years.

While the 65 points between champions Arsenal and bottom side Wolves was around the average for a 38-game season (63), a real revolution took place in mid-table.

Since the league was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, the gap between the top four and the bottom three – between what has often been the Champions League and the Championship – had been increasing as the seasons went by, with the 'bigger' clubs profiting from their European adventures and the extra money they earned by regularly finishing higher in the table.

But last season, the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' of the Premier League dropped from 44 points in 2024-25 to just 26 points – the smallest distance for 23 years (since 25 points in 2002-03).

The European places were more attainable than they had been for years. Despite taking a point fewer than when they finished seventh the season before, Aston Villa clinched Champions League qualification by finishing two places higher.

While Liverpool took the 'bonus' Champions League place by finishing fifth, their points total of 60 was the lowest by a side finishing there for 19 years and would have put them ninth in 2024-25.

Bournemouth and Sunderland also took full advantage of needing fewer points than normal by qualifying for European competition for the first time ever and for over half a century respectively.

Read more on the Premier League's competitive numbers

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Republic of Ireland international Tayo Adaramola has left Crystal Palace to join Belgium side Cercle Brugge on a permanent basis.

The Dublin born left-back played 16 times during a loan spell with Sheffield Wednesday last season, having previously had temporary spells with Coventry, Belgian side RWD Molenbeek, Stockport, Bradford and Leyton Orient.

Crystal Palace thanked 22-year-old Adaramola on their website, stating: "After more than a decade in South London, everyone at the club would like to thank Tayo for his efforts and wish him the very best as he begins this new chapter in the Belgian top flight."

AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim has excluded Youssouf Fofana from his plans for the season, with Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest now interested in the France midfielder, 27. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Crystal Palace were beaten 2-0 by Freiburg in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday.

Second half goals from Lucas Holer and Yannick Engelhardt were enough for the Bundesliga side to secure the win at the Europa-Park Stadion in Germany.

Dean Henderson played the first hour in goal for Pierre Sage's side for his first minutes of pre-season, while new signing Dwight McNeil also started and the returning Evann Guessand came on as a substitute in the second period.

Image source, Getty Images

New Crystal Palace signing Anan Khalaili says he "can't wait to start" after his move from Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise was confirmed.

The Eagles have reportedly paid a £21m fee for the 21-year-old, who can play as a full-back or winger.

He arrives from Union Saint-Gilloise where, since joining in 2024, he helped the side win their first Belgian Pro League title in 90 years and a Belgian Cup.

"I'm happy to be here, I'm excited, and I can't wait to start," Khalaili said on the move.

"I've followed the Premier League – it's a new challenge for me – and I've followed Crystal Palace for a long time. I'm happy to be here."

Eagles Chairman Steve Parish added: "We are very excited to have completed this signing and are delighted that Anan has chosen to continue his journey with Crystal Palace."

It is common practice these days for transfer fees to have performance-based add-ons. The theory is the selling club gains more if the player goes on to be extremely successful, while the buying club is to some extent protected financially if the transfer doesn't work out.

In some cases, the total value of add-ons is significant - Real Madrid could end up paying an extra £30m to Borussia Dortmund for Jude Bellingham depending on how successful he is over the course of his career in the Spanish capital, for example.

In others, like the potential £1.7m worth of add-ons Brighton's £29.78m signing of Greece Under-21 forward Charalampos Kostoulas, are less significant.

Clubs sometimes say add-ons are 'easily achievable' or 'difficult'.

Easier-to-achieve add-ons can include things like making a basic number of appearances, or scoring a certain amount of goals. Add-ons can also be attached to a team's success rather than the individual player's - a club may agree to an add-on requiring an extra payment if they qualify for Europe, for example.

Others can be more ambitious - tied to extreme levels of individual or collective success, like winning the Champions League or the Ballon d'Or.

An example of the difficulty add-ons can present when discussing valuations would be the claims made in the Portuguese media in 2022 that the first additional payment in Darwin Nunez's £64m-plus-add-ons move from Benfica to Liverpool was triggered by the Uruguayan making just 10 appearances.

Then Liverpool boss Arne Slot rejected speculation he had not started Nunez in some games because it would trigger an additional payment.

Whether Liverpool paid more for Nunez, or club captain Virgil van Dijk - for whom they paid a flat fee of £75m to Southampton in 2017 - cannot be determined without knowing exactly what add-ons were included in the Nunez deal, then figuring out which conditions he has and has not met.

Send our reporters a questions via Ask Me Anything

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Crystal Palace have had a verbal bid for midfielder Lamine Camara rejected by Ligue 1 side Monaco.

The 22-year-old was the subject of an offer reportedly worth more than £35m, which would have made him one of the most expensive signings in the club's history.

Camara, who has already made 49 appearances for the Senegal national team, featured at this summer's World Cup.

He joined Monaco from Metz in July 2024 for a reported fee of 15m euros (£12.8m), having moved to France after excelling in several prestigious Senegalese youth academies.