Ahead of the Young Eagles’ Group C opener, Chuks Okoli, Amaari Sealey and Sean Somade looked ahead to the challenge – from facing one of Europe’s biggest clubs to the different demands of taking on overseas opposition.
Okoli, Sealey and Somade ready for PSG test
Crystal Palace Under-21s are set for a taste of European football on Wednesday night (KO: 19:00 BST) when Paris Saint-Germain visit Sutton United’s Borough Sports Ground in the Premier League International Cup.
It is a particularly exciting occasion for Okoli, who has been with Palace since the age of seven and was named the club’s 2025/26 Under-18 Player of the Season.
For the versatile midfielder, the pedigree of the visitors is clear.
“Obviously a big European team, a lot of pedigree,” he said. “Quite a lot of talent as well, and I know that obviously they've won quite a lot of things, Champions League, a lot of Ligue 1 titles, so I'm expecting a lot of quality from them.”
PSG arrive in South London as the reigning European champions and French champions, having won the UEFA Champions League for a second successive season and secured a fifth consecutive Ligue 1 title.
Their academy was also named France’s best for 25/26 by the French Football Federation.
Sealey, meanwhile, knows the size of the challenge awaiting him on what could be his competitive debut for Palace.
The attacking midfielder joined the Young Eagles from AFC Wimbledon over the summer after an outstanding 25/26 campaign, registering 47 goal contributions as the Dons’ U18s completed an unprecedented national quadruple.
“Yeah, I'm sure everyone knows that, you know, they're French giants, they're huge in their country and worldwide,” he said. “Obviously their success in European competitions, so obviously it's the perfect test for us.”
Somade, a powerful centre-back capable of also playing at right-back, has been at Palace since joining at Under-14 level and is relishing the opportunity to face unfamiliar opposition.
“Obviously they have a lot of background, a famous team, known for being good,” he said. “It's going to be a good game.”
I'm extremely excited
—Chuks Okoli
The International Cup provides something different from the U21s’ usual domestic schedule.
Palace primarily compete in Premier League 2, which features the development sides of all 31 Category One academies, while they will also compete in the EFL Trophy this season.
The International Cup, meanwhile, brings together 16 Premier League 2 sides and 16 invited European clubs. The teams are split into four groups of eight, with each English side facing their four overseas opponents once.
Palace are in Group C alongside PSG, PSV Eindhoven, RSC Anderlecht and FC Porto, with all four fixtures taking place at Sutton.
For Okoli, that change of scenery also brings different tactical and physical demands.
“I think obviously playing against international foreign teams, they come up with different tactics, different play styles, different type of quality,” he said. “So I'm expecting it to probably be faster, more technical, probably even a bit stronger, more physical, so yeah, extremely excited.”
Sealey expects the quality across the competition to make for a stern test, but believes Palace can thrive.
“Yeah, I feel like there'll be higher quality because I feel like all the teams will try and play good football, including us,” he said. “I feel like most teams will be of such a good nature that it's going to be a hard competition to be in, but I feel like we can do well.”
For Somade, simply facing a team from outside England will provide a new experience.
“Obviously them being a foreign team, we're not used to playing teams outside of the country,” he said. “I feel like it'll be a different type of challenge and it'll be good.”
It's everyone's dream to play in front of fans
—Amaari Sealey
With the first European challenge of the season almost here, all three players were keen to stress the importance of having Palace supporters behind them.
Okoli believes that backing could be particularly valuable for a group containing several players experiencing the competition for the first time.
“I think it'll be very important for us, especially for us first years of going into a new competition,” he said. “Some of us haven't played yet, so having those people behind us, those people to support us and cheer us on should be good.”
Sealey echoed that call, describing playing in front of supporters in a competition such as this as a dream for young players.
“Yeah, hugely important for us because, you know, it's everyone's dream to play in front of fans in such big competitions,” he said. “I feel like it's the next step for us, so yeah, come and watch.”
And Somade has a simple message for anyone considering making the trip to Sutton or even tuning in on Palace TV+.
“I think it'll be good for them to come watch. We'll give our all and as long as they're there, I think we'll try our hardest.”
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Match ticket prices:
- Adults (21-64): £5
- Young Adults (17-21): £1
- Seniors (65+): £1
- Juniors (2-16): £1
- Academy Founder Members: Free
- Adult Gold, Junior Gold & Season Ticket+ Holders: Free
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Match details:
Crystal Palace U21s v Paris Saint-Germain U21s
- Wednesday, 2nd September
- 19:00 BST
- Premier League International Cup
- Borough Sports Ground
- Buy tickets here
- Watch LIVE on Palace TV+