West Ham are always very good
—Javier Alonso
Javier Alonso: We are ready for the season opener
Crystal Palace Under-18s head coach Javier Alonso has given his thoughts ahead of the Young Eagles’ 2026/27 season opener away to West Ham United on Saturday.
Alonso’s side begin their U18 Premier League South campaign at Little Heath Sports Ground.
The competition is the top level of U18 football for Category One academies, split into northern and southern sections, with the two section winners meeting to decide the national champions.
“Yes, it's a good game to start the season,” Alonso said. “West Ham are always very good. We played last season against them, and both games were tough for both teams.
“It was a really competitive game, and I expect the same in this case, playing away against them. But I think we had a good pre-season, and I think we can play good there.”
The Young Eagles have prepared for the new campaign with five pre-season fixtures against a varied mix of opposition, including Category One and Category Three academies, an international U18 side and non-league teams.
“We played against men, we played against different Category teams,” Alonso explained. “The main thing was to try to create a team during the pre-season, trying to be fit and be ready for the season. I think we are ready.
“The players are working very hard, the team is working hard, and we are ready.”
I'm happy with the new scholar intake
—Javier Alonso
Palace welcomed 13 new scholars over the summer, while several members of last season’s squad stepped up to the Under-21s. With more players moving up during pre-season, Alonso has also called on a number of U16s to bolster his group.
“Of course, they are young but they are working hard. We are working with them to improve everything that we can,” he said.
“I say to the players that the most important thing is to try to give everything for the team. Individuals are very important but always for the team, for the whole team.
“I think they are understanding the tactics, they are improving in possession, they are improving out of possession and I'm happy with them.”
Developing the players is most important
—Javier ALonso
Last season was Alonso’s first in charge of the U18s, with the Young Eagles reaching the FA Youth Cup semi-finals for the first time in almost 30 years and lifting the U18 Premier League Cup for the first time in club history.
Dean Benamar, Joel Drakes-Thomas and Benji Casey also made their senior debuts.
For Alonso, however, the focus remains on developing his players.
“First of all, I try to improve the players because I think this is very important. I try to be competitive and go game by game,” he said.
“I try to go day by day, enjoy the training, work hard, try to be competitive in all the games. I don't look about the FA Cup, about the Premier League Cup. I look like we play West Ham, focus on West Ham and try to look for the next steps in the future.”
The Young Eagles made a flying start to last season, opening with an 8-0 win over Birmingham City, and Alonso knows the importance of beginning the new campaign well.
“It's very important because when you start winning, you start with confidence and after you can win more games,” he said. “I can feel that the team is improving during the pre-season. We are working very hard, more consistent.
“We are creating a team and I think we are a team now. I think we will be fine.”
We have a tough start but we are ready
—Javier Alonso
Palace face a challenging opening run, with West Ham followed by Southampton, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Arsenal.
“I think we have a tough start,” Alonso said. “We play many games against strong teams but I think most of the teams are very competitive.
“I don't care about the opponent because I think we are a good team and I know that most of the teams are very competitive.
“I think we have a strong start but we are ready.”
And having played two tight games against West Ham last season – a 3-2 defeat followed by a 2-2 draw – Alonso is expecting another close contest on Saturday.
“Yes, definitely. I think they are very good. We are analysing them, of course, but also we are a very good team and it will be a tight game.”