Crystal Palace Under-18s head into a defining week with a Manchester United double-header that could shape their season.
Javier Alonso’s side travel to Old Trafford to face United in the FA Youth Cup semi-final on Friday (17th April), before taking them on again in the Premier League Cup Final at Selhurst Park on Wednesday, 22nd April.
With two huge fixtures against the same opponent in the space of five days – and silverware on the line – here’s a look at some of the players driving this run and ready to take centre stage.
D.o.B.: 8 August 2010 (aged 15)
Still only 15, Lucca Benetton has already established himself as one of the most exciting young goalkeepers in the country, becoming the Under-18s’ first-choice ‘keeper in the second half of the season.
He has made 12 appearances across league and cup, including starts in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final at Villa Park and both the Premier League Cup quarter-final and semi-final, keeping two clean sheets across those appearances.
He has also delivered standout performances in recent weeks, including an impressive display against Chelsea in league action.
His pathway has been anything but conventional. Originally an outfield player, he only committed fully to goalkeeping at Under-12 level, having previously split his time between defensive midfield and in goal while playing across grassroots sides including Windsor and Slough.
That grounding is evident in his composure in possession and comfort playing out from the back.
Since then, his progression has been rapid. He earned his first England call-up at Under-15 level and has since represented the country at Under-16 and Under-17 level, featuring in UEFA European Championship qualifying fixtures.
Notably, he was one of just two players promoted from the England Under-16s to the Under-17s squad, alongside Manchester United’s JJ Gabriel. He has also attended international camps with Italy, further underlining his recognition for the displays he is putting in for Palace between the sticks.
Benetton has also trained regularly with Palace’s first-team goalkeepers, gaining valuable exposure to senior standards at just 15.
D.o.B.: 31 May 2008 (aged 17)
A very direct, confident and relentless left-footed full-back, Dean Benamar offers constant energy up and down the flank, combining defensive intensity with real attacking quality.
After making 20 appearances for the Under-18s in 2024/25, he stepped up to Under-21 level and has featured prominently this season, including in the Premier League International Cup against European opposition.
His progression was underlined by a senior debut in the UEFA Conference League against Finnish champions KuPS, where he started and played 60 minutes, before also being named in a Premier League matchday squad for the fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park.
At international level, Benamar has been heavily involved across England age groups. He scored directly from a corner against the Netherlands for the Under-17s, featured in every group game at the UEFA U17 European Championships, and more recently found the net as England Under-18s secured a 2–0 victory over Croatia.
One of his standout moments this season came in the 5-1 win over Liverpool. Inside seven minutes, George King spotted his run from deep and lifted a precise ball over the top. Benamar brought it down superbly before finishing on the half-volley past the advancing ‘keeper – a goal that showcased both his movement and technical quality.
Across Under-18s and Under-21s football this season, he has registered two goals and three assists.
D.o.B.: 19 September 2007 (aged 18)
Charlie Walker-Smith has become a key figure at both ends of the pitch for the Under-18s and Under-21s this season.
Operating at centre-back, he has registered six goals and three assists – an outstanding return for a defender – with much of his threat coming from set-pieces and long throws, the latter he delivers himself.
His aerial presence has been decisive in recent weeks. He scored in the 5-1 win over Liverpool and added a brace against Southampton in the 3-1 victory, both coming from inswinging corner deliveries.
Beyond his goal threat, Walker-Smith’s ability to carry the ball out from defence and step into midfield has been central to Palace’s build-up play.
Internationally, he has stepped up to Wales Under-19s this season and is set to be an important figure for Chris Gunter’s side at the UEFA Under-19 European Championships in North Wales this summer.
He has also featured regularly for the Under-21s across Premier League 2 and the International Cup.
D.o.B.: 16 November 2007 (aged 18)
Jasper Judd has led this group from the front throughout the campaign. A lifelong Palace fan who joined the club at the age of seven, he has started every match under Javier Alonso this season and captained the side throughout their league and cup runs.
His output from right-back has been significant – three goals and seven assists – with his inswinging corners proving one of the team’s most effective attacking weapons. His deliveries have led to goals in the FA Youth Cup against Newcastle and the decisive strike against Tottenham in the Premier League Cup semi-final.
Defensively, he has combined consistency with aggression, while his passing range allows him to contribute to build-up play from deep areas.
His performances have also earned him four appearances for the Under-21s this season, including starts in high-level fixtures across Premier League 2 and the Premier League International Cup, where he has handled the step up comfortably.
D.o.B.: 6 September 2009 (aged 16)
Joel Drakes-Thomas has produced a historic breakthrough season at just 16 years old.
He became Crystal Palace’s youngest-ever Premier League player at 16 years and 194 days, surpassing David Ozoh, and also featured in the UEFA Conference League against Finnish champions KuPS – becoming the youngest Englishman to play in the competition.
On his senior debut at Selhurst Park against KuPS, he was voted Player of the Match by supporters, underlining the impression he made.
At Academy level, he has featured across both Under-18s and Under-21s, often operating as an attacking wing-back. His pace and ability to isolate defenders in 1v1 situations make him a constant outlet.
Under-21s manager Darren Powell said: “Joel Drakes-Thomas was a real threat – isolating the full-back, getting 1v1s, delivering balls into the box, similar to what we saw against Wolves.”
After returning from injury in February, he played key roles in victories over Tottenham in the Premier League Cup and Aston Villa in the FA Youth Cup.
D.o.B.: 23 November 2007 (aged 18)
Standing at 6ft 6in, David Angibeaud has become a focal point in Palace’s attack.
He has recorded 15 goals and four assists in 31 appearances this season and is the only player in the squad to feature in every match across all competitions.
His campaign turned following his goal against Fulham, sparking a run of 10 goals in 10 games as he established himself as a regular starter.
His physical presence allows him to dominate centre-backs, while his finishing – often powerful from distance or instinctive inside the box – makes him a consistent threat.
He has continued that form into the latter stages of the season, scoring against Reading, Fulham and Southampton to bring his tally to three goals in five, remaining a key figure heading into both fixtures.
D.o.B.: 4 February 2008 (aged 18)
Benji Casey has been one of the most prolific forwards in the Under-18 Premier League this season despite limited availability.
He has scored 18 goals and provided five assists in just 16 appearances across all competitions, including two hat-tricks, while maintaining a minutes-per-goal ratio of 70 – the best in the division.
In the league alone, he has featured just 10 times, making his position among the top scorers even more notable.
Casey has also stepped up to Under-21 level, scoring in the Premier League International Cup – including a composed finish against Juventus – and playing a key role in progression to the knockout stages, as well as netting in a 2-0 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach.
He also made his senior debut in European competition against Shelbourne FC, featuring in the closing stages of a 3-0 victory at Selhurst Park.
His pace in behind, sharp movement and clinical finishing make him one of the most dangerous forwards in the competition.
