'Didn't get minutes for Nigeria' - Crystal Palace coach details why Uche played for U21s

Oliver Glasner addressed the media ahead of Crystal Palace's UEFA Conference League clash with Godswill Ekpolo's AEK Larnaca, and one of the main talking points from the pre-match press conference centred on Christantus Uche's involvement with the club's U21 side earlier in the week.

The Super Eagles midfielder featured in the first half of Palace's 5-2 defeat to League One side Stevenage in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday evening, a runout Glasner later explained was designed to maintain his fitness rather than a demotion.

Uche, who joined the Eagles on a season-long loan from Getafe on deadline day, has found opportunities limited at Selhurst Park so far, registering just 52 minutes across three appearances in all competitions.

His lack of regular football saw him omitted from Nigeria's initial squad for the October World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin. 

However, following an injury to Panathinaikos striker Cyriel Dessers, Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle handed Uche a late call-up, though the midfielder remained an unused substitute in both fixtures.

Glasner has explained the rationale behind Uche's involvement with Crystal Palace U21s, insisting that the move was made to maintain his fitness amid a congested fixture schedule, not as a punishment.

"Yes, but it was also Romain Esse and Rio Cardines, and Kaden Rodney played there," Glasner told reporters. 

"They didn't play for their international teams, they were called up by Nigeria and England U21s, but didn't get minutes there, Romain and Uche.

"They didn’t play many minutes for us and we don't train a lot at the moment. We have four games in nine days. 

"That means just recovery and it was the last opportunity to give them an 11 against 11, getting a little bit of feeling for this.

"What's important if they have to play in the next four games, and they didn't play an 11v11 for maybe three or four weeks, you're not best prepared and that was the reason behind it.

"Just playing 45 minutes but will be involved in the matchday squad."

The Austrian coach went on to stress that Uche's development is progressing as expected, but emphasised that competition within the team determines selection.

"You know it's the same for everyone. It’s as soon as we believe a player can help the team win a game, he will play," Glasner stated.

"He's coming to a different country, into a team that is doing really well. Everybody knows exactly what to do, where you have a competition, you have to be better than the other player and you have to show that you are ready to help the team win, and that's how we decide who will play."

Glasner also explained what he expects from players who step down to play for the development side, making it clear that such opportunities are designed to aid growth rather than penalise anyone.

"I want to see 100 percent effort like in every single training and I don't expect the reason being perfect.

"Uche doesn't even know all the teammates because he doesn’t train with them regularly. But 100 percent is what I expect and I told them it’s never a punishment. 

"We feel responsible to provide the best environment for every single player so if we can’t provide it with our regular training because of the tight schedule we have to think how we can give what they need. And then let’s say this is support.

"If we don't care about them, we can say train with the group, you can have off, but you have no chance to improve. You’re just staying at home, laying on your sofa, and training 40 minutes and not playing.

"So, that’s the reason, this is the best support we can give them and if they see there's support, they will have a benefit from it. 

"If they see it as a punishment, they will fail, but not just here, they will fail everywhere."

The 22-year-old Uche has earned three caps for the Super Eagles since starring on his senior debut in the Unity Cup showpiece against Jamaica in May 2025.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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