New deals for five Crystal Palace players

Cherelle Khassal, Amy Goddard, Leeta Rutherford, Amber Stobbs and Amber Gaylor have all committed themselves to Crystal Palace for the 2020/2021 season according to reports on The Eagles’ official website.

All five players are recent arrivals at the club, within the last 12 months, and manager Dean Davenport is clearly impressed with what he has seen thus far.

Stobbs was the club’s joint highest-scorer when the 2019/2020 FA Women’s Championship season was brought to an abrupt close while teammate Goddard was an ever-present feature of Davenport’s side throughout the campaign.

Following the announcement of the quintet’s new deal, manager Davenport told official Crystal Palace media channels “Extending the contracts of the five that we have is great news for the club.

“This current side we are building is the potentially the best I’ve managed during my time here, and that will only improve the longer we can keep the squad together.

“All five have made a quick and impressive impact – they understand and fit the club’s ethos perfectly.

“With a season under their belts at Palace, I have no doubt that our next campaign will see all of them go from strength to strength.”

The news comes following the recent departures of youngsters Beau Parker and Mia Lockett and although no new arrivals have yet been confirmed by the club, it is surely only a matter of time before they start strengthening ahead of the coming season.

With Liverpool dropping down to the FA Women’s Championship and sides like Durham, Sheffield United, London City Lionesses and Leicester City fancying their chances of promotion, the league could be even more ruthless next time around. Consequently, after finishing just above the relegation zone, the retention of key players could prove invaluable if Palace are to progress next season.