Latest news with #WalterBenitez
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Palace reveal 2025-26 home kit
Amid in the news surrounding Crystal Palace's participation in Europe next season over the weekend, the Eagles released their new home kit for the 2025-26 new design features the classic red and blue colouring, with slightly narrower stripes than previous years' kits which pay "tribute to shirts from years gone by". The white, red and blue v-neck trim then "provides a fresh twist on a classic Palace style".The launch saw Jean-Philippe Mateta, Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix, Eddie Nketiah, Adam Wharton, Justin Devenny and Romain Esse model the new kit, as well as Women's players Issy Sibley and Chloe signing Walter Benitez also modeled the club's new light green goalkeeper home jersey for the first wore the kit as they kicked off their pre-season fixtures with a 1-0 win against Millwall on Saturday.
New York Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Experienced, superb shot stopper and good in the air: Why Palace signed Walter Benitez
When Walter Benitez arrived at PSV in 2022, he came with a hefty reputation as a highly-regarded goalkeeper — having twice kept the most clean sheets in a Ligue 1 season with Nice over six years in France. So, after three campaigns in Eindhoven in which he has maintained that reputation, his move to Crystal Palace on a free transfer is an intriguing one. He will come in as back-up and cover for Dean Henderson, which, given the 32-year-old Argentina international's pedigree, means this could be considered a coup for the south London club. Advertisement Benitez may not have a penchant for the spectacular and does not emit the same levels of self-belief as Henderson, but he is very consistent. Injuries have been few and far between across more than a decade in the professional game, while he has rarely suffered lengthy drops in form. In 2018-19, while playing for Nice, he was statistically the third-best shot stopper in Europe's 'big five' leagues, preventing almost 13 goals based on the quality of shots he faced. At PSV, Benitez kept 10 clean sheets as he helped the club to a second-place finish in the Eredivisie in a strong debut season in 2022-23. Only three goalkeepers kept more. As well as being a good shot stopper, Benitez is also strong in the air. 'It's really important,' he told The Athletic in 2023 about having confidence when claiming crosses. 'I think players feel a bit more relaxed when they know that they have a front-footed goalkeeper. 'It's about that peripheral vision, I worked on it a lot while I was in France. It helps you to see everything at the same time, so you can make decisions, tell your defenders to pick up spare men, all while keeping an eye on the ball. 'I like to stand slightly diagonal to the cross if I can, so I can see the flight of the ball, as well as my defenders.' His distribution is solid without being superb, but he is versatile and adaptable in the way he plays. Similarly, he is less at home when having to cover a large space between himself and his defence — but is still able to move swiftly enough to avoid any major problems. International recognition has come, with a first call-up by Argentina in June 2023 — which has been followed by selection in 10 of the world champions' last 12 squads. Only once, though, has he played, with his debut coming during a 3-1 friendly win over Costa Rica in March last year. Advertisement The arrival of Benitez is a boon for Palace. It allows them to strengthen in an area in which they were seeking experienced cover for no initial outlay and this enables them to use funds elsewhere. With Matt Turner's season-long loan concluding and the American returning to Nottingham Forest before an expected move to Lyon, Palace required someone who could capably step up to fill the gap left by Henderson should he become unavailable through injury or suffer a significant drop in form. In Benitez, they have that and more. A more accomplished player than third-choice keeper Remi Matthews, he will bring experience to the club and should also become a reassuring presence in the dressing room. He is likely to be an upgrade on USMNT international Turner, who was underwhelming in his four appearances last season. He also provides competition for Henderson. Although the England international will be outright first choice, Benitez is good enough to push the 28-year-old to continue his impressive form after a first season without injury for several years. This also allows for young goalkeepers Owen Goodman and Joe Whitworth, both 21, to move out on loan to continue their development. Goodman has joined Huddersfield Town in League One on a season-long loan after winning the League Two Golden Glove award last season. Whitworth enjoyed a productive season with Exeter City last campaign and a return to the south west is the most likely outcome for him at this stage. Palace worked on a deal to sign Benitez for some time and they may have in mind the situation that transpired with Sam Johnstone. He was signed aged 29 in 2022 on a free transfer, usurped Vicente Guaita to become first choice and then, after being deposed by Henderson, was sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2024 for £10million ($13.5m). Advertisement If, further down the line, Palace can sell Benitez for a profit it would be most welcome, even if it is not necessarily the primary reason for his signing. Should he feature only in cup competitions, then Palace will still have an excellent goalkeeper to call upon and if he pushes Henderson, then even better. There are few downsides or risks to this signing. Benitez joined PSV with a strong reputation and he arrives at Palace having cemented it.
The Guardian
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Crystal Palace agree deal to sign Croatia international Borna Sosa from Ajax
Crystal Palace have agreed a deal to sign Borna Sosa from Ajax for about £3m, with the Croatia defender due to have his medical on Monday. The 27-year-old, who made 20 appearances on loan at Torino last season, is expected to provide competition for Tyrick Mitchell at left wing-back but is also capable of playing on the opposite flank. Palace signed Ben Chilwell on loan in January but he has returned to Chelsea. Sosa, who helped Croatia to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2022, has three years on his contract at Ajax but has reportedly been told he is not part of the new manager John Heitinga's plans. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Palace have signed the Argentina goalkeeper Walter Benítez from PSV on a free and are understood to remain in talks with Sporting over a potential £45m move for the Ivory Coast defender Ousmane Diomande. That could depend on the future of Marc Guéhi, with Liverpool believed to be the frontrunners to sign the England defender, whose contract expires next summer.
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Walter is a winner
Crystal Palace have not only signed a solid and experienced player in Walter Benitez, but he's also a serial winner. The 32-year old has been victorious in 74 of his 97 Eredivisie matches with PSV Eindhoven – lifting back-to-back league titles – and his win ratio of 76.3% is the second highest among all goalkeepers to feature at least 50 times in the division, only behind Manchester United's Andre possesses plenty of European experience, with a total of 44 appearances in Uefa competitions for the Dutch giants and his previous employers Nice. He starred in triumphs over Liverpool and Juventus last season, but his performance against Arsenal in last season's Champions League round of 16 was one to forget – Benitez shipped seven goals from eight shots on target in a 7-1 home signing will also evoke memories of another Argentine goalkeeper Julian Speroni, who is considered a Palace legend after more than 400 appearances during a 15-year spell. He helped the Eagles reach the Premier League via the Championship play-off final in 2013, was on the bench for the FA Cup final in 2016 and was named the club's Player of the Year four times before hanging up his gloves in 2019.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Crystal Palace sign Argentina international goalkeeper on a free to provide competition for No 1 Dean Henderson as Eagles look to fight on multiple fronts
Crystal Palace have signed goalkeeper Walter Benitez from PSV Eindhoven on a free transfer. The 32-year-old, who played every game of PSV's title-winning Eredivisie campaign last season, will link up with the Eagles at the start of next month. Benitez is expected to serve as understudy to current Palace number one Dean Henderson, alongside current back-up Remi Matthews. Palace chairman Steve Parish said: 'Walter is an excellent addition to our squad, bringing further quality, experience and competition to our goalkeeping department alongside Dean and Remi. 'We look forward to welcoming Walter to South London next month as we continue our preparations towards what promises to be a busy season, competing on multiple fronts, in 2025-26.' Benitez was a regular feature for the Dutch giants last term, also playing 11 of their 12 Champions League outings. That European campaign did however include the 9-3 aggregate defeat by Arsenal in the Last-16 last term. It comes amid reports that Tottenham could look to trigger Eberechi Eze's reported Champions League buyout clause to strengthen up front. The England international is thought to have a £68million clause available to clubs in Europe's premier competition, leaving the Eagles at risk of losing their talisman. Indeed it was Eze, 26, who scored the only goal of the FA Cup final as Palace beat Manchester City to claim their first-ever major trophy, with the attacker their most vital player throughout the campaign. In addition to back-to-back league titles with PSV, Benitez has also added the Dutch Cup and two Super Cups along the way, with 43 clean sheets in 134 games across three trophy-laden seasons in the Netherlands.
