Crystal Palace boss highlights attacking duo who impressed during international break

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson admitted Matheus Franca and Naouirou Ahamada both impressed him in training over the international break.

Franca, 19, joined the Eagles in the summer from Flamengo in a deal that could rise to £26milllion with add-ons.

He was absent for the start of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign after a stress fracture in his lower back was detected during his medical.

The attacker came on for his debut as a substitute in the 4-0 defeat at Newcastle and followed that up with another appearance off the bench in the 2-1 loss at home to Spurs.

Brazilian U20 international Franca also started for Darren Powell’s U21 side in their EFL Trophy games against AFC Wimbledon and Stevenage.

Ahamada, 21, has made six appearances this season – all from the bench – under the former England and Liverpool boss.

When asked about Franca’s progress over the recent international break, Hodgson said: “He’s settling in well.

“Both he and Ahamada have been pretty good during this two-week break – they have both impressed me with their training sessions.

“With Matheus, he seems to be settling in more and more. He’s getting better and better with the language and more attuned to what playing at the Premiership level is about, [as a result] to the fact that he’s playing against such good players in training.

“It’s testing him out a lot more funnily enough than the U23 games that he played.

“I was under pressure to let him play those games as part of his rehabilitation – it was thought it was a necessary step.

“I have to say that we, as a coaching staff, are more than happy with him. If he can continue along those lines then we have another player who will be knocking on the door of selection. As is also the case with Ahamada.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD