“It’s been a week to remember” is a well-worn cliché, but for Crystal Palace’s Academy, it is one that is fully justified.
Although the results did not ultimately go Palace's way on either night, our third and final UEFA Conference League league-phase fixture against KuPS Kuopio on Thursday, followed by a Premier League trip to Leeds United on Saturday, both delivered some historic milestones for the Eagles and our Academy pathway.
Below is a round-up of the records, numbers and milestones achieved by our Academy graduates over the past week...
Team news for the visit of KuPS revealed three senior debuts in Oliver Glasner’s starting XI. George King, Dean Benamar and Joél Drakes-Thomas were all named from the outset against the back-to-back Finnish champions.
Kaden Rodney, meanwhile, made his second first-team start – and his first at Selhurst Park – having previously started in the 2–0 away victory over Oxford United in the Carabao Cup second round in 2022 under Patrick Vieira.
It was the first occasion that three Academy debutants have started a first-team match for Palace.
While three Academy players had previously made their debuts in the same game during the 3-0 League Cup first-round victory over Walsall in 2005, only one – Lewis Grabban – started that match, with Arron Fray and Tyrone Berry introduced from the bench.
A full table of all of Palace’s Academy graduates since the year 2000 can be found by clicking here.
At just 16 years and 192 days old, Drakes-Thomas became the youngest Englishman to feature in the UEFA Conference League, beating out Chelsea’s Reggie Walsh by two days.
He also became Palace’s fourth-youngest player of all time, behind John Bostock, the Academy’s own Alex Wynter, and the late Phil Hoadley.
Drakes-Thomas completed the full 90 minutes against KuPS and delivered a standout performance, creating two chances – the most of any player on the pitch – while recording 88% pass accuracy.
He completed 100% of his take-ons and long balls, won five of eight ground duels, delivered a mammoth seven crosses and made four ball recoveries.
On a night when several young talents impressed, you awarded Drakes-Thomas an outstanding 72.8% of your Player of the Match votes, which in turn earned him the accolade.
Take a look at a carousel of the best images as Drakes-Thomas lit up Selhurst Park under the European lights, below!
With four Academy graduates included from the start, three of them making their senior debuts, the XI also became Palace’s youngest since 1982 (a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United at home, on the last day of the 1981/82 season).
Reflecting on the contributions of his young players, Oliver Glasner said: “I think all four did really well. Dean [Benamar], excellent game, but after 60 minutes cramping, so we had to take him off. This was the only sub that was not planned, but we know he came back from an injury.
“George King played a very consistent game, good in the build-up, making no mistakes, solid in defence. For me, Kaden Rodney played very well in the six, so he was also good in the pressing, but also in possession.”
On Drakes-Thomas, he added: “He’s just 16, but he took responsibility, created chances and played with confidence. That’s what I really love for young players.”
Rodney and Drakes-Thomas were both rewarded with inclusion in the Premier League matchday squad that travelled to Yorkshire to face Leeds, with Drakes-Thomas enjoying his first senior league squad call-up.
With 85 minutes on the clock at Elland Road, Drakes-Thomas was introduced from the bench.
That moment saw him become Crystal Palace’s youngest-ever Premier League player, aged 16 years and 194 days, surpassing the previous record set by David Ozoh at 17 years and 260 days in January 2023 - when he came on as a second-half substitute against Newcastle United.
