‘The coach doesn’t like me’ – Super Eagles star Uche speaks on Crystal Palace struggles

Christantus Uche has finally spoken about his difficult time at Crystal Palace, lifting the lid on why he has struggled for minutes since arriving in England, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 22-year-old Nigerian midfielder, who joined the club on loan from Getafe at the start of the 2025/26 season, has found himself on the fringes under head coach Oliver Glasner.

Uche’s most recent appearance came two months ago, when he played just nine minutes in Palace’s 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. That brief cameo sums up a frustrating campaign for the young midfielder, who has managed only seven appearances this year and started just once, in the FA Cup.

After arriving at Palace with growing reputation from Spain, this was not the script the young Nigerian expected. At Getafe, Uche had been one of the most exciting young players in La Liga. During the 2024/25 season, he made 33 appearances, scored four goals and provided six assists, often playing in multiple roles across midfield and attack.

Brought from the lower division, Uche made an immediate impact at the start of that campaign, scoring on his debut against Athletic Bilbao. His energy, physical presence, and versatility made him a key figure for the Spanish side.

But since moving to Selhurst Park, things have been very different. Despite showing promise in Europe, where he scored twice in four Conference League matches earlier in the season, Uche was later dropped from the squad to make room for new signings. Since then, his opportunities have been even more limited, and he is yet to start a single Premier League match.

Uche: A future away from Selhurst Park?

Now, speaking in an exclusive interview with Read Crystal Palace, Uche has opened up on his situation, and his words suggest a growing sense of frustration and acceptance about his future.

“I may not have much playing time, but I am grateful for the fans who continue to support me and the team,” he said

“Your dedication and enthusiasm mean a lot and I hope to make you proud whenever I do get the chance to play but I know maybe it won’t happen again because the coach doesn’t like me.”

The Super Eagles midfielder’s comments offer a clear insight into how he feels about his relationship with Glasner and his role in the team. While the Palace boss had earlier described his omission from the Conference League squad as ‘nothing personal,’ Uche’s remarks suggest he believes otherwise.

There is also a financial and contractual angle to his situation. Crystal Palace’s loan deal included an obligation to sign him permanently if he made 10 Premier League starts. However, with zero league starts to his name, that condition will not be met.

As a result, Uche is now expected to return to Getafe at the end of the season. It brings to a close a difficult spell in England, where he has played just 14 matches in total and accumulated only around 169 minutes of football, a sharp contrast to the more than 2,500 minutes he enjoyed in Spain the previous season.