The data expert with an astrophysics degree and sporting director on Man United’s radar – as Gareth Southgate picks FOUR of their stars, here are the secrets of the Crystal Palace talent factory

If Gareth Southgate had his way he would have named five Crystal Palace players in his England squad yesterday.

‘He is a player we should have an interest in because he’s a very good player,’ said Southgate when asked if he thought about trying to persuade Michael Olise to switch from France to England.

Blooded in the EFL but honed at Selhurst Park, Olise is the crown prince of a talent factory fast becoming the envy of football.

There is stiff competition for that accolade though, underlined as Southgate selected four Palace players in his 33-man party. Adam Wharton got a first call-up, while Eberechi Eze and Dean Henderson were recalled alongside regular Marc Guehi.

‘I’m pleased for the boys because they are brilliant lads,’ Palace co-owner Steve Parish told Mail Sport. ‘We’ve rarely had players in the England squad, let alone four. It’s a brilliant achievement for everyone who has played a part in their development, not just at Palace. It shows the world there is a platform for players to achieve their dreams with Palace.’

Adam Wharton (right) received his maiden England call-up, while Eberechi Eze (left), Marc Guehi and Dean Henderson were also named in the extended Three Lions group on Tuesday

The selection of the quartet is just another sign of the thriving talent factory at Selhurst Park

Manager Oliver Glasner’s impact since his arrival in February has seen the team flourish

Manager Oliver Glasner’s impact since his arrival in February has seen the team flourish, the intensity of training cited as one of the key improvements. 

Instructions are clear and concise, although ‘getting the ball to Olise and Eze’ is often the message, unsurprisingly. Palace appear to be on the cusp of something special, a team bursting with talent who are relentless in their desire to show the world what they are about.

So what are the secrets behind their knack of spotting gems?

Sporting director Dougie Freedman shuns the limelight, but the work he and his small team have done, to a tight budget, has not gone unnoticed. It’s no wonder Manchester United and Newcastle want to lure him away, but it would be understandable if Freedman found it difficult to leave a team that his fingerprints are all over. 

With the help of data expert James Simpson and player analyst Bobby Shojai, Freedman has revolutionised the club’s recruitment operation. ‘Finding the talent is one thing, but the next is executing the deal and getting the players to come,’ explained Parish. 

‘In our recruitment we are getting more right than wrong. The whole club has a sense of shared purpose and that shines through because there are lots of people instrumental in that process.’

Palace co-owner Steve Parish outlined his pride at seeing the four players all receive call-ups

Sporting director Dougie Freedman, who has been linked to Newcastle and Man United,  shuns the limelight, but the work he and his small team have done has not gone unnoticed

Like most clubs, Palace have discovered major benefits in statistical analytics. The data is a reference point with a view to narrowing down potential targets, but good old-fashioned scouting continues to play a part. 

Guehi, Olise, Eze and Wharton were all watched at least a dozen times. Freedman’s ability to spot a player is not restricted to the Championship. Chris Richards was plucked from Bayern Munich reserves, Cheick Doucoure from Lens, Jean-Philippe Mateta from Mainz and Daniel Munoz from Genk. Vicente Guaita was signed on a free from Celta Vigo, as was fellow keeper Sam Johnstone from West Brom.

First a player must pass a lengthy checklist before Palace make their move. Ensuring he has the right character features heavily. But above all else, the player has to fit the team’s game model. 

One reason why they paid an initial £18million to Blackburn for Wharton was because they had identified a deficiency in getting Eze and Olise on the ball enough in the right areas. Wharton’s range of passing was the key reason behind his move. 

‘You used to accuse me of favouritism, now you’ll be accusing me of nepotism,’ joked Southgate, who played for Palace. No one who has seen their Fab Four play will accuse you of that, Gareth.