Crystal Palace stalwarts Jeffrey Schlupp and Jordan Ayew ink new deals to stay for another year

Crystal Palace starters Jeffrey Schlupp and Jordan Ayew have committed to new contracts at the south London club, according to reports. 

The players, who arrived at Selhurst Park in 2017 and 2018 respectively, have agreed to stay for at least a year after new terms were agreed between the club and its first-team players. 

A new year-long deal was also agreed for long-standing goalkeeper Vincent Guaita in November, with the Spaniard receiving an option in the club’s favour to extend the contract to 2025, as per the Athletic. 

Schlupp and Ayew are stabilising forces in south London, with Schlupp having made over 200 appearances for the Eagles since joining the club in January 2017.

The 30-year-old has made 29 appearances for Palace this season across all competitions, and throughout his time at the club, has demonstrated his flexibility around the pitch by taking up a number of different positions, most recently turning out as a central midfielder. 

Ayew, who featured for Ghana during the Black Stars’ World Cup campaign alongside his brother and national team captain Andre, first joined Palace on a season-long from Swansea City before making the move permanent in the summer of 2019. 

The low-scoring forward has just 16 goals in his 164 appearances for his club, but he remains a feature, turning out 30 times for the south London side this season, and is said to be highly valued by managers Roy Hodgson and latterly Patrick Vieira. 

Following the sacking of Vieira ahead of the international break, Hodgson took the opportunity to reunite with former players such as Ayew and Schlupp, returning to the club as interim manager to oversea a looming relegation battle. 

Roy Hodgson, who previously managed Schlupp and Ayew between 2017-2021, has returned to the club as interim manager 

Hodgson took over from his predecessor, Patrick Vieira, in late March after a poor run of form

Palace currently sit 12th in the Premier League table, but a scant three points from the relegation zone. 

18th-placed West Ham also have two games in hand over their London rivals.  

Under Vieira, the team had failed to win a game since the start of 2023, but Hodgson will have the opportunity for a perfect start to his second spell in charge of the Eagles when the side welcomes Leicester to Selhurst Park on Saturday. 

Brendan Rodgers’ outfit are hovering above the relegations places in 17th by a solitary point, and have not won away from home since early February 4-2 victory against Aston Villa at Villa Park.