Frank de Boer eager to give youngsters a chance

Crystal Palace manager Frank de Boer insists he is willing to include academy players in his first-team plans – and has suggested promising teenager Luke Dreher could be one of them.

De Boer earned a reputation for producing promising youth players during his time at former club Ajax – a feat that Eagles fans hope he can replicate at the south London club.

And the 47-year-old says he is keen to give his youngsters a chance to ensure the youth system can keep moving forward.

“If they’re good enough, 100 per cent, I’ll be interested. It motivates the academy; they get the feeling the manager takes them seriously,” said de Boer.

Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images

The Eagles have been back in pre-season training for just a week as the new campaign approaches, and Palace central midfielder Dreher, who was named the club’s Under-18s Player of the Year, has already benefitted from the Dutch legend taking charge.

“Let youth players sniff what it means to train with the first team. Luke Dreher trained with us, 18 years old, and a very talented player,” added de Boer.

“Hopefully he can make the next step. He’s going to gain weight in muscles, now he’s a very thin guy, a little boy, but I see the quality, and I like that.”