Crystal Palace’s transition into life without Eberechi Eze is proving to be a difficult one, and the responsibility placed on young Justin Devenny has not yet produced encouraging results. Thrust into the first team as Eze’s replacement, the 21-year-old has now made back-to-back starts, but his performances have left fans and pundits unconvinced. While his work ethic and tactical discipline cannot be faulted, his lack of confidence and natural attacking flair were once again evident against Nottingham Forest.
The problem is not just Devenny’s inexperience, but also his positional mismatch. Traditionally a central midfielder who thrives as a number six or eight, he has been deployed in an advanced wide role that demands creativity, pace, and the ability to beat defenders. Against Forest, he tried to occupy the right spaces, press opponents, and make runs into the box. Yet, whenever the ball reached his feet, the execution was missing—poor decision-making, rushed passes, and missed opportunities meant Palace’s attacking momentum often broke down.
This tactical experiment highlighted the team’s growing reliance on Ismaila Sarr. With Eze gone and Devenny struggling to adapt, Palace’s attack looks heavily unbalanced. Sarr was left carrying much of the creative load on his own, while Devenny’s lack of dynamism prevented the Eagles from threatening consistently down the left. Romain Esse, who came off the bench, made a bigger impact in 25 minutes than Devenny did in over an hour, winning duels, completing take-ons, and driving forward with more purpose.
The bigger picture, however, points to Crystal Palace’s transfer shortcomings. Manager Oliver Glasner has already expressed his frustration at the club’s failure to sign a direct replacement for Eze, despite having the funds from his Arsenal move. By forcing a young midfielder out of position, Glasner may well be sending a message to chairman Steve Parish about the urgent need for reinforcements. Palace risk stagnating if they fail to invest, because while Sarr can shine, he cannot replace Eze’s creativity on his own, and the squad lacks a natural playmaker to step up in crucial moments.
For now, it is difficult to see Devenny thriving in this improvised role. He has shown flashes of commitment, but he does not possess the qualities needed to carry the creative burden left by one of the Premier League’s most dynamic attackers. If Palace want to maintain their momentum under Glasner, signing a proven creative player should be a top priority before the season drifts into mediocrity.
