Crystal Palace Academy Visit

CCC visited Crystal Palace’s academy this weekend to observe their u18s fixture against Norwich City. 

In 2020, Crystal Palace’s academy was awarded Category 1 status, the highest ranking possible for academies in England. In 2021, the club then invested £20m to redevelop their academy facilities, which are now world-class. 

Clubs vary in the level of support they provide academy players once they have been released, but Crystal Palace sets the example others should follow. 

In 2022, they became the first English club to launch a three-year aftercare programme for 18-23 year olds released from the academy.

The club recognises the emotional distress that being released causes these young players who may have been with the academy for many years. The programme offers these players education, provides them with a designated Player Care Officer and helps them to find other clubs to represent. 

Crystal Palace also has a sustainable transfer model, not paying over £30m for any player in the last five years whilst making significant sales. Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise were purchased cheaply from QPR and Reading respectively, before Eze was sold in 2025 to Arsenal in a deal worth £67.5m and Olise in 2024 to Bayern Munich for £50.8m.

Furthermore, for the financial year ended 30th June 2024 the club’s wage costs as a percentage of turnover decreased from 56% to 54% demonstrating strong squad management.

Crystal Palace has therefore struck the right balance between ambition, youth development, financial stability and player care in recent years. 

The 2025 FA Cup victory was the first major trophy in the club’s history and it would be unsurprising if they added further silverware in the coming years.