Crystal Palace defender Jake O’Brien is eyeing a potential departure from the club once again

Following an impressive end to the 2022/23 campaign under Roy Hodgson, Crystal Palace aims to continue their positive momentum at the start of the 2023/24 season to steer clear of any relegation battles.

Under Patrick Vieira’s management, the team faced the risk of relegation, but Hodgson’s arrival injected renewed energy, leading to a notable transformation in their performance. Players who had previously underperformed under Vieira thrived under the guidance of the experienced former England coach.

However, 22-year-old defender Jake O’Brien is currently finding it difficult to break into the first-team lineup. As a result, reports from Het Laatste Nieuws suggest that he is on the verge of securing another loan move, this time to RWD Molenbeek, where he excelled during the 2022/23 season.

Though not being able to secure a spot in the Palace first-team might be viewed as a setback, O’Brien still possesses a significant portion of his football career ahead of him. Gaining regular playing time elsewhere through a loan spell is considered advantageous over sitting on the bench or featuring for the youth or reserve teams. This move is seen as a beneficial step for all parties involved in the long run.

The club will closely monitor O’Brien’s development during his loan spell at RWD Molenbeek, and if he continues to impress over the next twelve months, it could present the right opportunity for Crystal Palace to reintegrate him into their squad.