Sage on Disasi loan, Mateta's place and Sarr's future - AOL
George Booth - BBC Sport journalist
Aug 26, 2026
Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against Manchester City at Selhurst Park (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Ismaila Sarr has a groin injury and will miss the match. Sage said: "We'll prepare him - he needs time. I thought it would be quicker, but I am not medical [staff] - that's why I wait for him, and we'll prepare him to come back with us."
Chadi Riad, who was substituted off injured in the 2-0 loss to Everton, is seeking "specialist" advice - the French boss did not confirm a return date.
Axel Disasi's season-long loan to Palace is "good news" for his side, as Sage expects Riad to be sidelined. On Disasi, Sage added: "He is ready. He had his first session with us today. We will see if he's able to play on Friday. He didn't play in collective conditions during the beginning of the season, but he's a football player and we have the opportunity to help him with time to come in to the team."
Although striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park, Sage expects the France international to stay at the club. "I don't see a player who has a problem with the club or with us," said Sage. "That's why he played the last game as a starter. Imagine if you have a problem with us, he would not play as a starter."
Sarr has also been linked with a move away from the club, but Sage said he has "no problem" with the 28-year-old: "For the moment, he is with us. He is under contract. He is injured, and maybe you can make a link with his injury and the situation. For me, he is honest, and I have no problem with that."
On his first game as boss at Selhurst Park: "I think it will be a wonderful moment, but I prefer to have a wonderful moment at the end of the game. OK, they [supporters] will be happy to see us, but I think they will be happy to see us win."
Sophie Trifonoff - BBC Sport journalist
Thu, September 10, 2026 at 10:24 AM EDT
Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Ipswich Town at Selhurst Park (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Midfielder Cheick Doucoure is in contention to be part of this weekend's squad. "Cheick trained yesterday and this morning. All will be good for him. He is a little ill, but he's fine."
On Ismaila Sarr: "It's the same situation. He's not with the team for the moment. I thought he could be with us in training on Monday, but it was not the case. We expect him next Monday to start training with the first team. We want him on the pitch."
Sage also confirmed that Jean-Philippe Mateta remains unavailable to face Ipswich.
On the team spirit, he said: "We need to be together in this moment and we have to fight every weekend. Without the team spirit we can't do anything and I think that's in line with the will of the fans."
On the potential challenges posed by Ipswich, he said: "We want to improve but we have to manage when we lose the ball with counter-pressing and I think it will be a good test for us."
Sam Brookes
Mon, September 7, 2026 at 9:01 AM EDT
Pierre Sage has warned summer arrivals Dwight McNeil and Evann Guessand that they must improve after dropping them for Crystal Palace’s 3-2 Premier League victory at Fulham on Saturday.
The attacking duo were left out of the matchday squad at Craven Cottage due to Sage's dissatisfaction with their substitute appearances in the 4-1 home defeat against Manchester City eight days earlier.
A double from Tyrick Mitchell and a Ben Chilwell winner secured the Frenchman his first win in charge. Sage admitted McNeil and Guessand were unhappy with his decision, but offered them a route back when Palace host Championship side Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday.
"It’s my decision, a sports decision, and sometimes players have to be shaken to come back and regain their level," said Sage.
"At the end, it’s only one game. With a few games, everybody is excited with the situation – what’s happened? Is there a problem? Or something like this.
Dwight McNeil (left) was one of the summer signings who did not make the Palace squad on Saturday (Getty)
"It’s like this: they just have to take the information, to change things during the session, because they have the opportunity to show every week, and maybe they will come back with us on Tuesday."
Sage will check on squad fitness ahead of the Middlesbrough tie, with several players left "really tired" following the London derby win.
Palace have flourished in cup competitions in the last two seasons, winning the FA Cup in 2025 before going on to lift the Community Shield and Conference League trophy last season.
Sage will hope to lead Palace to Carabao Cup glory this season after replacing Oliver Glasner in the summer, but his team face a tough challenge against Championship high-flyers Middlesbrough, with a place in the Round of 16 on the line.
Middlesbrough are currently second in the Championship after taking 10 points from their opening five matches. They sit just a solitary point behind early pace-setters Swansea in the table.
Meanwhile, Palace are now up to 13th in the Premier League after getting off the mark over the weekend at Fulham following previous losses to Everton and Manchester City, and will now be aiming to build some momentum with a cup victory.