‘They’ve done it ever so well’ – Crystal Palace’s recruitment gets praise from Millwall manager Gary Rowett

Gary Rowett has given his thoughts on Crystal Palace’s strategy of signing the top talent to impress in the Championship – with the Millwall boss fully aware of the talent of Eberechi Ezi, Michael Olise and Marc Gueye.

Olise was signed in an £8million deal from Reading in the summer. Twelve months earlier and the Eagles sporting director Dougie Freedman had moved for Eze, the outstanding attacker in the second tier.

Centre-back Gueye was also one of their key signings in the previous window. The England U21 international had been on Chelsea’s books but enhanced his reputation during a season-long loan with Swansea City.

Rowett said: “Eze was always a player, when he was at QPR, who looked a wonderfully good talent. I know he came through Millwall’s youth system for a spell. Olise was the same – lovely quality and ability for Reading in the Championship. I was really impressed with Gueye at Swansea – he had pace, power and a little bit of composure as well. Those players stand out in the Championship.

“Conor Gallagher has gone and looked really good in the Premier League as well.

“They’ve done it ever so well, Palace. They’ve had a core of very good players – you’d almost class someone like Zaha as a senior player along with Milivojevic, who has been there a while. They help those younger ones coming through.

“The manager is playing a different way – a more technical and possession style of football. For some of those youngsters it might well fit them better.

“They’ve done really well. Any side that has stayed competitive in the Premier League for such a long period, you have to think they have done an awful lot of things right.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD