Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has praised Jordan Ayew’s contributions to the club and expressed his support for the Ghanaian forward’s recent move to Leicester City.
Ayew, who has been a stalwart for the Eagles, completed an £8 million transfer to the Foxes on Friday, signing a two-year contract with the Premier League side.
Ayew’s time at Selhurst Park has been marked by consistency and professionalism. Since joining Palace, the 32-year-old has made 212 appearances, scoring 23 goals and providing 22 assists across all competitions. His work ethic and dedication to the team have made him a favourite among fans and staff alike.
Reflecting on Ayew’s departure, Glasner was full of admiration for the forward’s character and his approach to the game.
“I don’t want to speak about the fee. You can’t buy a character of a player, and Jordan is a great character,” Glasner said.
“How he dealt with the situation. He used to be a starter for five-and-a-half years. Then, when we changed the system, and at the end of the season, Michael [Olise], Ebs [Eberechi Eze], and JP [Mateta] were performing unbelievably well, he worked so hard.”
Despite starting 30 Premier League matches for Palace last season, Ayew found himself on the bench more frequently towards the end of the campaign.
In the recent 2-1 defeat to Brentford, he was a substitute, coming on for the final 20 minutes to replace Daichi Kamada. Glasner acknowledged the challenges Ayew faced with limited playing time but praised his professionalism throughout.
“He didn’t get the minutes I would have liked to have given him,” Glasner admitted. “He’s a great player and a great guy, and how professionally he dealt with the situation, it’s fantastic. This, you can’t pay with a fee.”
As Ayew embarks on a new chapter with Leicester City, Glasner expressed his best wishes for the player.
“Now, he’s 32, and he got an offer for a long-term contract. If he wants to take this opportunity, a guy such as Jordan deserves that we’re open-minded about this and that we listen to him to give him this chance and opportunity. Especially with a player like him, who has given everything for the last six years for this club. That’s why, if the deal happens, I wish him all the best. He deserves this.”
Ayew’s move to Leicester marks the end of a significant era at Crystal Palace, where he has been an integral part of the squad. His departure leaves a gap in the team, but also opens a new opportunity for him to continue his Premier League career.