Hiram Boateng became Crystal Palace's first academy player to make their league debut for just over four years when he replaced Yohan Cabaye for the remaining 20 minutes of Saturday’s 1-1 draw away against Swansea City.

The academy graduate was given a place on the substitutes bench along with fellow youngster Sullay Kaikai, however, the latter did not make it onto the pitch.

The 20-year-old had previously spent the first part of the season on loan in League Two with Plymouth Argyle where he was a key member of the Pilgrims’ side, making sixteen league appearances while also scoring the first goal of his senior career. Boateng did not look out of place at the Liberty Stadium in a game that he claimed was a much higher standard than what he had been used to in League Two, and performed well in a central midfield role alongside Mile Jedinak.

Boateng impressed on loan at Plymouth earlier in the season | Photo: pafc.co.uk
Boateng impressed on loan at Plymouth earlier in the season | Photo: pafc.co.uk

Boateng says Palace debut can give fellow youngsters motivation to force their way into the first team

Palace have an excellent history of producing homegrown talent, but a recent drought has not seen an academy debutant in the league since Kyle de Silva played against Blackpool in January 2012. Boateng made his Palace debut in an FA Cup tie away to Stoke City in 2013, but he made a long-awaited league debut in the draw at Swansea on Saturday. 

Boateng, who was born in Wandsworth, believes that his chance in the first team provides the other young players at the club with the belief that they can force their way into Alan Pardew's first-team plans if they work hard. He told cpfc.co.uk, “Myself and Sullay [Kaikai] being on the bench is proof that academy players can be given a chance” before adding that “the players coming through the academy need to work hard and they will find themselves in the same position.”

Boateng claimed Pardew had some motivational final words for the youngster before he stepped on the pitch, saying, “the manager just told me to go and make an impact and try to change the game.”

He almost repaid his manager's faith when he showed great confidence to surge towards the Swansea penalty area before hitting a rasping drive which flew agonisingly past the post in front of the Palace fans in the away end, who Boateng claimed were “fantastic” throughout the game.

It was an emotional moment for Boateng who admitted he had “been dreaming of this moment since [he] was a little boy” and that it was “great for the manager to put his trust in [him].”

Boateng set to be called upon once again

Injuries to Jason Puncheon, Joe Ledley and James McArthur have meant chances have been given to fringe players such as Jordon Mutch and Chung-yong Lee, but Boateng proved he is more than capable of stepping up when called upon.

Famous among Palace fans for a superb solo goal while playing for the under-21’s at Colchester which later went viral on the internet, Boateng is well-built for his age and possesses great strength and composure on the ball, which is a trait that Pardew is renowned for admiring in his midfield players.

Boateng and Kaikai are also expected to take their place on the bench once again when Palace take on Watford on Saturday, and will both hope to make it onto the pitch in front of the Selhurst Park crowd for the first time in the league. 

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About the author
Sam Smith
VAVEL UK sub-editor. Premier League and Football League accredited journalist.