Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage reportedly frustrated with Evann Guessand

Crystal Palace head coach Pierre Sage is growing increasingly frustrated with Evann Guessand, according to Football Insider, just weeks after the forward arrived at Selhurst Park on loan from Aston Villa.

The 25-year-old completed his temporary move south on 12 August but has quickly slipped down the pecking order. The outlet reports he was dropped from the matchday squad ahead of a recent league victory over Fulham and has not played a single minute across the five fixtures since.

Compounding his difficulties, Guessand has been left off the London club's registered squad for this season's Europa League campaign. Sage is said to have expressed public disappointment that the Ivory Coast international failed to respond positively to criticism of his performances, unlike several team-mates who were similarly challenged and subsequently improved.

Speaking to Football Insider, Mick Brown, who previously served as Manchester United's chief scout, suggested the situation is deteriorating rapidly. He argued that the manager already has multiple players ahead of the forward in his plans, particularly with Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta available again.

Brown warned that if Guessand does not work hard to change the coaching staff's perception, his time in south London could end prematurely. The scout claimed the player is simply not performing well enough to justify a place in the current squad.

For Aston Villa, who sanctioned the loan departure during a busy summer window that also saw Ollie Watkins sold to Al Hilal and Nicolas Jackson arrive from Chelsea, an early recall would present an unwanted complication. With the transfer window now closed until January 2027, any such decision would require agreement between both clubs.

Guessand faces a straightforward challenge: reverse his manager's stated dissatisfaction or risk spending the remainder of the season watching from the stands. His next opportunity to impress will depend entirely on whether Sage decides to reintegrate him into first-team training.