£10.5m Crystal Palace man seen playing in a brand new position during USA tour as training footage emerges
Oliver Glasner seems to intend on using one Crystal Palace player in a brand new position this season.
The Austrian has already shown that he is not afraid to try something different if he feels it has potential, such as the decision to turn Nathaniel Clyne into a central defender last season.
Now, another Crystal Palace player could be set for a position change…
Naouirou Ahamada seen playing as a wing-back
In footage posted by a Crystal Palace fan on X (previously known as Twitter), we could see Naouirou Ahamada playing as a wing-back.
The Frenchman has been used in central midfield since his £10.5m move from VfB Stuttgart back in January 2023 – although he could now challenge Daniel Munoz for a place on the right flank.
As you can see in the 22-second video below, Ahamada is clearly positioned as a right wing-back with Tyrick Mitchell in his usual position on the left.
Adam Wharton and Will Hughes make up the two central midfield positions, with Daichi Kamada in more of a No.10 role.
Everyone is playing in their natural positions aside from Ahamada, which makes us think Glasner is genuinely trialling the concept of using the Crystal Palace No.29 as a right wing-back.
If that is the case, it would make plenty of sense, as Crystal Palace are lacking depth behind Munoz.
Of course, Clyne and Joel Ward are right-backs by trade, although the Colombia international is by no means a normal right-back, and acts more like a forward at times, so the more adventurous Ahamada would be better suited.
Crystal Palace have two options to compete against Daniel Munoz
Ahamada is not the only player who Glasner is testing out at right wing-back.
Franco Umeh was given a runout in that position during Saturday’s 6-3 win over Crawley Town, and the 19-year-old could yet be handed another chance to shine after being taken on the tour of the United States.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, however, has decided to stay behind in London, much to the surprise of Crystal Palace.
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Umeh did well as a right wing-back against Crawley Town, so if Ahamada fails to convince Glasner he can challenge Munoz in that position, it could well be the Republic of Ireland U19 international’s time to shine there instead.
