Crystal Palace’s Glasner-Led Revival and Life After Olise
Since the turn of the year, Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace have been in impressive form. The Eagles have suffered just three defeats in their last 11 Premier League matches, notched up eight clean sheets across all competitions in 2025, and secured a spot in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
However, their season didn’t start at full throttle. Palace had a challenging summer, losing key players like Michael Olise and Joachim Andersen. This forced the club into a period of adjustment—rebuilding their squad and figuring out how to replace their departed stars before any momentum could be established.
By the end of their first ten games, Palace sat 17th in the table with only seven points. But thanks to their strong run of form since, they now find themselves safely mid-table—and with the top seven still within touching distance.
That early-season struggle begs the question: what took so long, and just how much did Palace miss Michael Olise?
Olise’s Creative Void
Olise was sold to Bayern Munich last summer for a reported £50 million, and he’s hit the ground running in Germany. In 43 appearances for Bayern, he’s racked up 13 goals and 16 assists, showcasing the creative spark Palace lost.
During his three years in South London, Olise became a key figure for Palace—playing 90 matches, scoring 16 goals, assisting 25 times, and clocking 5,782 minutes. His partnership with Eberechi Eze, especially their link-up play on opposite flanks, was central to Palace’s attacking threat.
With Olise gone, Eze became the primary creative outlet, and the right-hand side had to be rebuilt from the ground up—a process that was always going to take time. But Glasner has found a solution.
A New Right-Side Dynamic
To help fill the Olise-shaped hole, Palace signed Ismaila Sarr from Marseille for around £12.6 million. Though not a like-for-like replacement in terms of quality, Sarr brought his own attributes to the side. Glasner then paired him with Daniel Muñoz, who has emerged as a crucial figure in this new-look right flank.
Together, Sarr and Muñoz have provided energy, directness, and width, making smart runs in behind and constantly stretching opposition defenses. While they don’t individually match Olise’s brilliance, their combined output has made the right side a major strength for Palace.
Sarr vs. Muñoz – By the Numbers (per 90 mins)
(Stats via FBref)
The data highlights how both players have been contributing offensively—getting shots off, delivering into the box, and playing a role in buildup. Their productivity has softened the blow of Olise’s departure.
Jefferson Lerma once described Muñoz as “spectacular,” a sentiment that could be extended to the duo’s impact on the right wing. Their complementary styles and willingness to attack directly have been central to Palace’s recent resurgence.
While Olise’s brilliance can never be fully replaced, especially for a mid-table Premier League side, Glasner’s tactical adjustments have proven effective. Palace fans have every reason to be encouraged by the team’s evolution and the right-side reinvention.
Not just Sarr: Crystal Palace have found a “spectacular” star who’s replaced Olise – opinion
