Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage has criticized midfielder Evann Guessand for his recent performances and lack of effort in training, leading to Guessand's exclusion from the past two Premier League squads and the Europa League squad. Despite offering Guessand a chance to prove himself in the Carabao Cup match against Middlesbrough, where Guessand claimed an injury during warm-ups, Sage remains unsatisfied with his response. The 25-year-old player is still nursing the injury but has shown commitment by not seeking opportunities elsewhere and aiming to improve under Sage's guidance.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-12,
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Story summary
Evann Guessand, who rejoined Crystal Palace on loan from Aston Villa this summer, has been left out of the club's last two Premier League squads. This decision follows criticism from new manager Pierre Sage over his training performance and an ineffective substitute appearance against Manchester City. Despite securing their first league win of the season away to Fulham, Sage has maintained a strict approach by also leaving summer recruit Dwight McNeil out of the squad. However, Sage offered both players a chance to prove themselves in the Carabao Cup match against Middlesbrough, where Crystal Palace won 3-0. Sage emphasized that sometimes players need to be shaken up to regain their best form.
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Guessand rejoined Palace on loan from Aston Villa this summer after spending the second half of last season at Selhurst Park as the Eagles lifted the Conference League.
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Eagles → rejoin → League
Since returning to south London, though, Guessand has found minutes hard to come by and has now been left out of Palace’s last two Premier League squads, while he was also omitted from the club’s Europa League squad.
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he → return → squad
Pierre Sage, who took over from Oliver Glasner in the summer, has criticised the Ivorian’s application in training after he scolded him for an ineffective substitute performance against Manchester City.
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he → take → City
Sage has quickly gained a reputation for his straight-talking approach, also leaving fellow summer recruit Dwight McNeil out of his squad as Palace secured their first league win of the season away to Fulham last weekend.
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Palace → gain → Fulham
Firm but fair appears to be Sage’s attitude, and he offered a route back for both Guessand and McNeil ahead of Palace’s 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup earlier this week.
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he → appear → Cup
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“Sometimes players have to be shaken to come back and regain their level," Sage said when asked why he had left McNeil and Guessand out against Fulham.
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he → read → Fulham
The attacking duo were both set to play some part against Middlesbrough, with Sage’s comments supposedly acting as a wake-up call.
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comments → set → call
But while McNeil got 15 minutes off the bench, Guessand did not feature after complaining of an injury during the warm-up.
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Guessand → get → up
Asked about Guessand’s continued absence in his pre-Ipswich press conference on Friday, Sage said the 25-year-old had not reacted the way he had hoped to his criticism.
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he → ask → criticism
“He hasn't responded at the level I expect,” the former Lens boss said.
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boss → respond → level
“He mentioned he was injured at the end of the warm-up for the game on Tuesday, that's why he didn't go on the pitch.
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he → mention → pitch
“I have to speak to him because we need to find a solution.
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we → have → solution
We need to see the best version of him.”
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We → need → him
Sage continued, saying his frustration stemmed from the fact that he had seen Guessand perform at a much higher level, and implored him to follow McNeil’s example.
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him → continue → example
Standard Sport understands that Guessand is still nursing the injury he picked up in the warm-up against Middlesbrough but is determined to prove his credentials at Palace.
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he → understand → Palace
Having enjoyed his time at the club last season, Guessand turned down opportunities from across Europe to return to Palace.
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Guessand → enjoy → Palace
He is therefore committed to making things work and is not currently contemplating a move elsewhere when the January window opens.
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window → commit → move
Guessand’s relationship with Sage has faced difficulties in the first few weeks of the season, but currently both parties are working towards finding a positive solution.
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parties → face → solution
Palace host Ipswich as they look for their third successive win in all competitions.
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they → host → competitions
