Clinton Morrison on Palace's latest Wembley Success, Guehi to Liverpool, Eze's Future & Picks for 2025/26 Premier League Season

With a new Premier League season finally on the horizon, Clinton sat down to share his predictions for the campaign ahead—covering all of the biggest talking points ahead of Friday's opening game between champions Liverpool and AFC Bournemouth.

From the biggest transfer news to his picks to succeed ahead of another Premier League season, we've lined up Clinton’s insights alongside some of the top football betting offers ahead of a busy weekend of action.

So, as the new campaign gets underway, here’s what Clinton had to say when speaking exclusively to Free Bets.

More Wembley Success for Clinton's Palace

Q: What was it like getting to see Palace victorious at Wembley (again), this time, alongside Steve Parish? 

Clinton: Yeah, amazing experience. The chairman asked me at the last minute. The chairman asked me if I could go do it for him as a favor and I said yes, obviously because it's the chairman. He wanted me to represent the football club. I didn't know I was going to shake hands with all the players and then have to present the Community Shield  to Marc Guehi. But it was a great day. It's an experience that probably I'll never have again in my life., I've come a long way and it’s an experience I’ll never forget. That was brilliant. Sitting with the chairman and watching a game with the chairman and all the Palace people that are on the board. It was just a great occasion.

As for the game itself, I thought that Liverpool were very good in the first half and Palace coped with their threat really well. They created a lot of chances and then in the second half I thought Palace were outstanding and fair play to Glasner, who always sets his team up incredibly well. He’s got some top, top players and really brings the best out of all of them. Palace have so many top players that just want to play football and enjoy the football and they're defending in their numbers rea;;y well. One player who I feel goes under the radar is Dean Henderson, who I think is a top, top quality goalkeeper. He should definitely be in the England reckoning for No.1 at the World Cup because I think he's fantastic. All in all, a fantastic day and experience.. I know people say it’s only the Community Shield, but it's another trophy and another piece of history for the club. 

Were you able to get Parish’s thoughts on how the squad is shaping up and what did you think looking at the team firsthand? 

Clinton:  I felt a lot of people were looking for holes in Liverpool, as opposed to appreciating just how good Palace were on the day. You're always going to look at Liverpool because they're the bigger team and they're the favorites to go and win the Premier League. So the focus was never going to be on Palace. But the evidence is there for all to see and Palace will cause a lot of teams this season a lot of problems, especially if they can keep that squad together and add a few more bodies into the building. 

Also, what Palace have is they've got one of the best managers around in Oliver Glasner. I think tactically he gets everything spot on. Everyone knows their job, everyone knows what they're doing. It was good to speak to the chairman, get his thoughts on how the game's going. Palace will be looking to do a bit of business before the end of the window. I think Palace have got a good 13 and 14 players of the highest quality, but if you start picking up injuries then it becomes difficult. Glasner wants more bodies. So if you get injuries, players can step in and know their role and know the job. The one who looks like he may be on his way is Guehi, but the club would be foolish to let him walk on a free transfer. I think the timing is right too, and Liverpool is an ideal club in terms of how highly I rate Guehi too. 

Steve obviously made the decision not to sell Marc Guehi in January even for a bigger fee than what is being reported now, but do you think that decision was vindicated with Guehi being key to Palace achieving so much history over the past eight months? 

Clinton: Yeah, definitely. As it was previously reported, Newcastle were interested in him and if you sell him then  you risk losing your captain which would have been huge. Not only that, but what you have is a captain who's probably one of the best English center halves around and who leads by example, which could have had big consequences on what Palace were able to achieve last season as he is a credit to the club. The fact he and Palace went on to win the FA Cup and now they’re in Europe is invaluable and showcases why Steve was right to keep him at the club. In football, there’s never a good moment to leave a football club, but given the success the clubs had in recent months if there was ever a moment to sell it would have to be now, and I don’t think anyone would discredit Marc for making the move because he is good enough to go into Liverpool and make a real difference. It’s a move that I think benefits both clubs, especially if Palace can get £35 million which is the fee currently being reported. 

Guehi to Liverpool?

How big an impact do you think Guehi will have on Liverpool’s title chances, especially if they add Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak?

Clinton: I've already made Liverpool the favorites to go and win the league. But I think if you go and get Marc Guehi and confirm the signing of the young centre back from Parma, then it’s another story. This is all before you consider Isak, who I think will eventually end up at Liverpool. I do think the move will happen. It might go down to the final day of the transfer window, but I think it’s got to the point where leaving Newcastle is the only logical outcome from the recent saga.  

With Guehi, I can’t emphasise enough how big a signing that would be for Liverpool. He’s proven he’s one of the best center backs that's ever played for Palace and equally, one of the best captains too. He’s been part of the club’s most successful period ever and will leave the club a legend. Liverpool will not only be getting a great player, but a great person too, someone who is loved across all areas of the club at Palace. When I’ve been at the training ground, everyone says he’s one of the nicest people you meet, always has time for people, always speaks to people, always the first one on the training pitch, and the the last one to leave, always wants to listen and wants to learn and that's why he's had such a successful career so far and that's why he will go on to be even more successful. He's just such a humble guy, always willing to learn. So I think when he goes, if he goes to Liverpool, he'll be someone who can lean on someone like Virgil van Dijk and take his game to another level. Whatever happens, I wish him well because, knowing him personally, I think he's a great person and whatever he’s achieved in life and in his football career, it's all down to him , his hard work and dedication and I wish him all the best regardless of whether he leaves or stays. 

Another player who is very much on the transfer wishlists for many clubs is Ebereci Eze. How do you see that playing out and what position are Palace currently in being able to keep hold of their star player? 

Clinton: The main thing for Palace is that he's got more years left on his contract, as opposed to Guehi, so Palace don't have to sell. He's got a release clause which everyone knows about and no one's matching it because it's so high, which works in the club’s favour. So if no one’s going to match the release clause, which also expires at the end of the window, then Palace are in a very strong position not to sell.  My gut feeling is that I struggle to see anyone paying that amount so late in the window because a lot of teams have already done their business so it will be interesting to see how that plays out.

But I don't think Palace can afford to lose Eze, as I think he’s one of the league’s exceptional players and has proven to be the difference in big matches. I don't think there's a lot of players that can do what Eze can do and it'd be hard to bring someone in to replace what Eze can do. So I don't think he will leave in this window. I think he'll probably have the season with Palace and then maybe go at the end of the season which is great news for everybody. He's a superstar, he's such a talented individual. Another one like Marc Guehi who doesn't make any noise, or who listens to the outside rumors, just goes into work, goes about his business. This is why I think he will be the perfect successor to Guehi as club captain as he’s already demonstrated he has the leadership qualities to step into the role which will only enable him to continue taking his game to another level. 

Following the decision to rebuff Palace’s appeal to being demoted to the Conference League, what’s the feeling been to that decision and what do you make of the decision? 

Clinton: Naturally, everyone is of course, disappointed because when you win the FA Cup, one reward is Europa League football. I don't know the ins and outs as to why the decision is that they can’t be in the competition but you just have to accept it and move on quickly because football doesn’t wait for anyone. What I will say is, though, in the Europa Conference League, Palace have a good chance of going to win the competition, so I think they can use that to their advantage and really double down on trying to win that. The best way to get over the disappointment is to get on with it swiftly and then hopefully have that opportunity to go win the Europa Conference League, strengthen the team and give it a right go. The decision overall doesn’t sit right with me because last season was such a celebration of winning the FA Cup. Everyone was celebrating being in the Europa League and then it gets taken away from you. But I don't know the ins and outs of it. 

How do you see Palace navigating both the Premier League and Europe this season? 

I think Palace have the strength to finish in the top ten and challenge in Europe too. Last season they proved they could be competitive in both the league and cup competitions. But as Glasner says, he needs players to come in and help the squad because when you're playing Thursday, Sunday, it's difficult. The recovery takes less time. You want to do as well as you can in Europe, but he won’t be afforded the luxury of playing his strongest team in both competitions. So that's where he needs players to cover every position because if they get injuries or players are tired because it's a lot of football. I do think they're equipped well, and as I said, I think they've got a good core of 13, 14 players that could come in and make a difference. But I think he wants to add to that to cope with Europe and also if you get injuries too.  I think Palace are in a good position at the moment, but I think when you've done so well last season, you want to kick on again this season. That’s why I think they’ve got the perfect manager in Glasner as he’s already proven he can build a squad to compete on all fronts and I see the same this season. 

On Adam Wharton, another sensational performance at Wembley. What is the ceiling for him and how do you see him kicking on this season? 

Clinton: He was sensational. He’d been carrying injuries last season, but he’s clearly had a good preseason because he looked another level on Sunday. He's fit now and he's another player that I don't want to go in this window, but next season, I’m confident lots of big clubs will be after him. He's a fantastic footballer. He could get into that World Cup squad with England if he has a good season as he just makes the game look so easy. I think he's going to be a superstar. You just look at him in midfield and he makes the game look easy, which only a few players can do. He's a joy to watch, and I just hope he can stay fit because that was his problem last season, picking up a lot of injuries. I think when he's fit and he's firing, you will have another superstar on Glasner’s hands. But he's one of the top players that a lot of clubs will eventually be looking at. 

Another story that continues to dominate the headlines is the transfer saga with Isak. What have you made of the latest reports that have stated he won’t play for Newcastle again and how do you see this playing out as we draw closer to the transfer deadline? 

I don't think he's [Isak] handled it well and I think it's been very disrespectful to his club Newcastle who have given him the opportunity to come to the Premier League and become the player he is today. Don't get me wrong, you have to come there and do the business, and he has done the business. He's a top striker. He's one of the best around. But I don't know whoever's in his ear giving him advice but the advice they gave him is the wrong advice. If the deal was going to happen and he goes in quietly and says it to the football club but instead of doing what he's doing, it doesn't look good. It's a bit disrespectful to the football club and those who have made him into the player he is today. He is letting down everyone at the football club because he's one of their best players and you need the best players on board. They had a good season winning the Carabao Cup last season, getting into the Champions League and then they've got this hanging over them with Isak saying he's probably never going to play for them again. So it's disappointing to hear and I don't think he's handled the situation well enough. 

If the deal doesn't go through before the window shuts then they are stuck with an unhappy player and what's he going to do? Wait until January and not play any football? No footballer wants that. They want to be playing football. So it's a difficult decision. I think Newcastle probably in the end will have to cash in on him. But only when they've brought the right players in to replace them and make the squad right. They're not going to leave themselves short and they know they probably can't keep hold of unhappy players. I think eventually it will get resolved and he probably will move on and get his dream move that he wants. But I just think the way he's handled it has been really disrespectful to the football club.

Do you sympathise with players nowadays with how public transfer sagas have become and how nothing is behind closed doors anymore? How does that compare with your time as a player? 

Clinton: That happens in football and it's happened to me before. I’ve had conversations with a particular chairman during my playing days about similar situations, where the chairman can one day turn around and say they simply can’t afford to let you go. You're too important to the football club. But the thing is we do that behind closed doors. We don't do that to make into the public. And if it doesn't happen you just get your head down and you get on with it. Even though you're disappointed that you haven't got the move. Don't get me wrong, I understand the frustration and there's a lot of other players that have done what Isak's done at the moment. But at the same time I think you can go about it in the right way. Because eventually if you can speak with the chairman and the manager in private and keep it behind closed doors, then it can be resolved internally as no one wants an unhappy player at the club. 

But what he's [Isak] done coming out saying he’s never going to play for them again, I just don't think it's been handled in the right way. He’s clearly been advised the wrong way and this showcases further how the players have so much power in the game at the moment. Basically they control everything. It's not the football clubs, it's the players. At the moment, Isak's the one who's controlling everything. So it's not the ideal situation for the start of the season where they play Aston Villa this weekend for Newcastle. But they've still got some top players that were going to cause a lot of teams problems in the Premier League.

On the subject of transfers, which deals have impressed you the most and which transfer do you envisage having the biggest impact on particular clubs this season? 

Clinton: I'd probably say and there's a few that I envisage making a big difference to certain clubs. I think Arsenal have been crying out for a center forward who wants to run in behind, works hard, and can score goals, so I think their signing of Viktor Gyokerez is a massive statement of intent. That's a fantastic signing. 

I think Man United's acquisitions of a new front three will only improve them too. Sesko, Cunha and Mbuemo. All three players that can score goals. The other two are proven in the Premier League and all three are of a young age and have proven they can score lots of goals on the biggest stage. 

Then I’d  probably look at Chelsea. Joao Pedro, Liam Delap are both top signings at incredible value for money. 

Obviously Florian Wirtz is a brilliant signing for Liverpool, watching him at Wembley you can see that, but they paid over 100 million for him. 

Zubamendi at Arsenal too. There's loads of good signings. Elanga going to Newcastle. So I think there's been a lot of good signings in the Premier League this season and it's going to be exciting. It's going to be exciting because everyone's trying to catch Liverpool this season.

Arteta under Pressure to Deliver this Season?

Looking ahead to the opening gameweek, Man United vs Arsenal is the fixture everyone’s talking about. Both clubs are going into the new season looking to improve on the last, but which manager do you feel is under most pressure to deliver this season? 

Ironically, despite having the better season last time out, I think Arteta. You look at Arteta, he's the one where you're thinking of so many seasons where they've been really close without anything of tangible substance to show for it.. Now they've got their center forward and they've signed more players and spent some good money. They might bring in a few more players from now to the end of the season, but they spent a lot of money and I think it's this season where if he doesn't win a trophy, question marks will start being raised over Mikel Arteta for sure. Arsenal fans want to win the Premier League and the pressure comes with being able to deliver that. It’s some first test in showcasing they’ve got what it takes to finally get over the line.

What about Man United? Do you think they have what it takes to get back to where the club should be? 

Maybe. I don't think this season is the one where they break back into the top five. I still think it's going to take a bit of time. I think maybe finishing in the top eight will be a successful season for them and maybe picking up a trophy along the way too.. Many fans won't like that, but it's going to take time. Even though they brought in these three players and they're still looking to add defensively, I think they need to improve and obviously they need a midfielder to play alongside Bruno, even though they've got Kobbie Mainoo, who I rate highly. But I still feel they need more bodies through the door like the wing back areas as well. So they still need to strengthen and they need time to do that. But as I said, the front three, they will score you goals.

I feel like Man United fans will see a better version of Ruben Amorim this season, but the pressure is on to showcase he’s the one to deliver progress. He's under extreme pressure as he was lucky last season because he inherited such a mess, so was handed a lot of lenience. So there's pressure on Ruben Amorim to deliver because now Man United have backed him. I just feel it's going to take time for Man United to get back to where they want to be, but I think they'll most definitely improve on last season. 

We’re just a day away from the opening game of the new season, so looking at all the teams, which ones excite you the most to really kick on and have a good campaign, and are there any who you really worry for? 

Good question. The three I’m most excited about would be Crystal Palace, if they can hold onto their key players before the window closes. I'd be excited about them. What they can do this season after watching them in the Community Shield is an exciting prospect and they have an exceptional manager who has showcased he means to kick on from last season’s success. 

Another would be Everton. They're my dark horse for the season. I think David Moyes did a great job last season. I think he's improved key players and the signing of Jack Grealish is outstanding. I don't think they've stopped there in the transfer window. I think there'll be more players coming so I think Everton are going to really have a very good season. The new stadium, the buzz around the club at the moment, I just look at them and think they’ve got everything in place to be a force next season.. 

Another club I wouldn’t overlook is Fulham. I think Fulham could have another good season. They haven't brought a lot of players in but they’ve kept the bulk of their squad which is proven to be an effective group of players with a great manager in Marco Silva. They were in and around Europe last season, so I see no reason why they can’t go again. 

In terms of teams I worry for, I'm worried for Brentford. I think losing Thomas Frank and Mbuemo is massive. There’s a lot of talk of Wissa going as well. So I'd say Brentford is the team that I'm most worried about. 

Wolves too. Wolves have made some good acquisitions, but I know that the manager had done a fantastic job last season and it will be difficult to replicate such effective and quick success this time around. Wolves survived last season and I know they did that without Cunha for long periods, but I think he makes a big difference. 

My final one is West Ham. I think West Ham fans are worried as well. I'm worried about West Ham too. I think West Ham needs to do a bit more business. It was not a good season last season and there isn’t enough evidence in the window to suggest that they are going to put last season’s wrongs right. 

It’s worth mentioning that I don’t think any of those clubs I’ve mentioned will struggle will go down, however. 

Can any of the Promoted Teams Stay Up?

With the league continuing to progress, it only gets harder for the promoted teams to be successful, as we’ve seen in the last few seasons. If there was to be one team out of the promoted clubs to be successful which would it be?

I’ll give you two. For me, I'd say probably either Leeds and Sunderland at the moment. I think Sunderland have done unbelievable business. I think Leeds need to do more, but I think they have a good group which can be competitive. I would  probably have to say at the moment Sunderland are the ones who are well equipped to stay in the league, but I think if Leeds sign two or three more players I think it'll be Leeds. The impact of both Elland Road and the Stadium of Light will be crucial too. 

Looking back to last Friday, you were at St Andrews watching your former club, how impressed were you with their return to the Championship against promotion favourites, Ipswich Town? 

Clinton: To be fair, I thought they were fantastic. I watched them again in the Carabao cup against Sheffield United and the high intensity that they're playing under the manager is brilliant.. It'll be difficult for teams to go to St Andrews this season and get results. I think the manager has brought in some top quality players. Their work rate is second to none and there’s competition for places all over the squad.. I think I said it at the start of the season, I tipped them to maybe finish second. But the way they're going at the minute, they've got a great opportunity of getting promoted. I think they've got some top players and as I said, the manager is really good.

I think come January, if they're still in and amongst it, the hierarchy will spend again and they'll go again to kick on even further. So I just feel like, yeah, they're flying at the minute and they're in such a good position. It’s an exciting time for the club. 

Final question, from the opening gameweek in the Championship, who impressed you the most and who are you tipping to do well this season? 

I think both Bristol City and Millwall are the ones that stand out. Millwall is one of the toughest places to go and Alex Neil has made them into some force for other teams to compete with. Wrexham, too, is another I can’t take my eyes off of. They’ve just announced another record signing with them closing in on Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich. They’ll only continue to get better and it’s going to be interesting how the league pans out following a really exciting start. 

Joshua Kerr

Having completed a bachelor's degree in sports journalism and over five years of industry experience, Josh made the transition into digital PR and iGaming back in 2021 and has worked on leading award-winning PR campaigns and projects for industry leaders, such as Betway, working within their UK, US and Canadian markets. Now working within GDC Group, Josh is part of the PR activation process for Freebets.com, the home of the best betting sites.