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“What a Machine”- Crystal Palace star labelled ‘a machine’ as boss pays tribute to player he sold for £7m
Crystal Palace’s £7 million signing, Daniel Munoz, has arguably epitomized the club’s Premier League season so far. Despite winning only two out of 15 games and starting the weekend just above the relegation zone, Oliver Glasner’s Palace have been far better than their results suggest.
The Eagles have earned points against Manchester United and Chelsea, defeated Tottenham Hotspur, and narrowly lost to Liverpool by a single goal. However, with several standout players failing to maintain the high standards set during Glasner’s impressive early months at Selhurst Park – like Daniel Munoz – games that Palace might have secured points from have instead turned into frustrating draws or narrow defeats.
Munoz, a £7 million signing from KRC Genk in January 2024, made an immediate impact, but as his early form dipped, so did Palace’s fortunes. Now, with the Colombian right-back returning to his best, Palace seem to be improving, with the player and club’s fortunes intertwined.
Munoz scored a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer against Newcastle United, prompting Glasner to sprint down the touchline in celebration, reminiscent of Jose Mourinho’s iconic moment at Old Trafford. A Premier League goal had eluded him for 10 months, but soon after, he found the net again, opening the scoring in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Manchester City, frustrating Pep Guardiola’s side and giving Dimitri de Conde an emotional moment.
De Conde, Genk’s technical director, spoke fondly of Munoz to RTBF, noting that the player’s physicality and intensity initially didn’t align with Genk’s usual approach, which tends to favor more technical and skillful players. However, Munoz quickly became a fan favorite in Belgium, and De Conde developed a deep respect for him, a bond that remains strong today.
“He wasn’t really the right fit for Genk,” said De Conde. “But he’s a physical beast. What a machine! I’m passionate about human relationships, and I always stay connected to players I’ve worked with. Daniel even invited me to London, and the next day he scored against City and dedicated the goal to me.”
De Conde continued, reflecting on his own career, “I’ve had my share of failures as a player and often felt alone. I don’t want my players to experience those same struggles. I want to protect them and help them grow.”
Munoz’s form has also been affected by the departure of Michael Olise, his key partner in attack last season. After Olise’s £50 million move to Bayern Munich, Munoz struggled to recreate the same impact, as Olise’s tendency to drift inside created space for Munoz to overlap. However, if Palace can sign a suitable replacement for Olise in 2025, the hope is that Munoz will once again find his rhythm.
