What Crystal Palace fans thought of Honest Ahanor’s debut ahead of Chelsea move

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The plan was to sign Ahanor and loan him to Crystal Palace. But with Axel Disasi set for Selhurst Park, Chelsea could not loan a second player to Ben Chilwell’s new side under Premier League guidelines.

So, officially, Ahanor remains an Atalanta player, on loan at Crystal Palace. But he will join Chelsea next summer. The deal is understood to be worth £40m – and on Tuesday, he made his Palace debut.

Crystal Palace fans excited by Honest Ahanor’s Eagles debut

New Palace manager Pierre Sage had not actually included Ahanor in any of Palace’s matches this season. Obviously, he has only been available for a couple, but on Tuesday night, Ahanor was given a start.

Palace took on high-flying Championship side Middlesbrough, a tough test for Sage’s side with Boro expected to push for automatic promotion. But Palace eased to a 3-0 win, Ahanor lasting the full 90.

With Chelsea fans not quite sure what to expect from the left-footed centre-back, the reaction from Palace supporters will certainly give some indication after his debut on Tuesday night in the Cup.

The plaudits were aplenty as fans heaped praise on their signing. Many were excited by Ahanor’s debut; one compared him to Marc Guehi: “Ahanor is Guehi when he first joined back in 2021. He’s a starter.”

Another simply posted: “Oh, we’re going to love Honest Ahanor.” Ahanor even had a hand in Palace’s first goal, running from deep with the ball: “Honest Ahanor what a run. Dare I say, even Guehi-esque.”

Another said he “looked great”, while one Palace fan is already dreading the day when Palace have to say goodbye to Ahanor when he eventually moves to Chelsea: “Will probably miss him when he’s gone.”

Ahanor’s rise has not come without overcoming major obstacles

Described as “frightening” by Alberto Gilardino, Ahanor has made it to the Premier League and looks the real deal. It has not come without a fight along the way. Injury and Italian rules proving to be obstacles.

Ahanor was always destined for the Italy side but he could not play for Italy’s youth teams until he was 18, because his parents are Nigerian. Ahanor was even born in Italy, but did not gain citizenship before 18.

He was immediately thrust into the U21 side, and now has two senior caps. That was tough, but even more so, was a five-month injury layoff shortly after his move to Atalanta. Now, Ahanor has made it.