Ademola Ola-Adebomi hopeful of making Crystal Palace first team as Hodgson takes charge

NIGERIA-eligible teenage striker Ademola Ola-Adebomi is hoping that the change of managers at Crystal Palace will help facilitate his promotion to the first team based on his recent good form in the development squad.

Currently sitting in12th place in the English Premier League and just four points above the relegation zone, Palace recently sacked their manager Patrick Viera.  Former manager Roy Hodgson was brought out of retirement as his replacement despite being 75 years old, with a mandate to keep the team in the top flight.

Ola-Adebomi, 19, who was recently invited to the Flying Eagles camp, has been enjoying a rich vein of form for Crystal Palace's development squad in recent weeks, scoring four goals in his last four matches. One of those four goals made the shortlist for Crystal Palace's Goal of the Month for March 2023.

His opening goal in Palace's 2-0 win over Arsenal U21s on March 17 has been nominated for the monthly accolade. A minute before halftime, the left-footed striker gave Palace the lead with a lovely cushioned finish, side footing the ball low into the goal after a looping cross from fullback Tayo Adaramola.

He demonstrated technique and precision to volley past the Arsenal goalkeeper Hubert Graczyk. Ola-Adebomi has so far mustered nine goals in all competitions this season, scoring seven in the Premier League Two and one each in the Premier League Cup and Premier League International Cup.

He will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Super Eagles invitees Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise who won Palace's Goal of the Month for December and January respectively. He is also hoping that Mr Hodgson would have noticed his feats and will be inviting him to join up with the first team for the rest of the season.