Crystal Palace have kicked off the new Premier League campaign in fine form. They remain unbeaten after their first three matches, holding Chelsea and Nottingham Forest to draws before sweeping Aston Villa aside 3-0 on the road at Villa Park prior to the international break.
The South London side must now juggle their domestic fixtures with Europa Conference League commitments this term. They’ll hope their squad has the depth to cope with the extra matches. Oliver Glasner’s men return to league duty next weekend at Selhurst Park against promoted Sunderland.
Palace are well-versed in raiding the Championship for promising talent. Eberechi Eze was recruited from QPR in 2020 before being sold to Arsenal for a major profit. Likewise, Adam Wharton has emerged as a vital figure since his arrival from Blackburn Rovers in 2024.
The Eagles should now look to Hull City defender Charlie Hughes in the summer window. The 21-year-old would benefit from another campaign at the MKM Stadium before taking on Premier League football. His current contract with the Tigers runs until June 2028.
Hughes, a youth international for England, has quickly become one of Hull’s top assets with a big future in the game. He was snapped up from Wigan Athletic last year and has adjusted to Championship life with little difficulty after progressing from League One.
Born in Wigan, he previously spent time with Manchester City and Liverpool as a boy before joining the Latics in 2017. He broke into their senior team as a teenager, becoming a mainstay until Hull swooped. Last season he scooped his club’s Young Player of the Year award and Goal of the Season while helping them beat relegation.
Hughes fits Crystal Palace perfectly—young, experienced for his age and packed with potential. The Eagles need to prepare for life without Marc Guehi, whose contract ends in 2026, with most signs pointing to his eventual exit despite staying past the recent deadline.
Hull knocked back three Coventry City bids for Hughes in the summer. They rate him around £20million, showing the esteem he’s held in. Their new boss Sergej Jakirovic, appointed in June after Ruben Selles, told local media in August: “He’s vital. From what I’ve seen so far, he can develop much further. He can improve more and maybe be the best transfer in this club’s history. For me, he’s already worth more than £20million.”
Hull have plenty of experience cashing in on top players. Andy Robertson, Harry Maguire and Jarrod Bowen all used the club as a stepping stone. More recently, Keane Lewis-Potter, Jaden Philogene and Jacob Greaves have thrived in East Yorkshire before big-money exits.
It feels inevitable Hughes will depart Hull, especially if he impresses again this campaign. They stood firm against Coventry’s offers but believe a bigger deal awaits with patience. Crystal Palace should closely monitor the situation in the coming months.
