Rabiu AminuRoy Keane Lambasts Crystal Palace Star Jefferson Lerma for Dismal Performance in Burnley Defeat, Urges Oliver Glasner to Drop Him IndefinitelyIn a scathing post-match analysis on Sky Sports, legendary Manchester United captain and pundit Roy Keane didn’t hold back in his criticism of Crystal Palace midfielder Jefferson Lerma following the Eagles’ stunning 3-2 home defeat to Burnley on February 11, 2026. The match at Selhurst Park saw Palace squander a comfortable 2-0 lead, courtesy of a brace from new signing Jørgen Strand Larsen, only to concede three goals in a frantic seven-minute spell before halftime. This collapse ended Burnley’s 16-game winless streak and left Palace fans reeling.
Keane, known for his no-nonsense style, zeroed in on Lerma’s role in the meltdown. The Colombian international, who has been a mainstay in Oliver Glasner’s midfield since joining from Bournemouth in 2023, inadvertently scored an own goal in the 45+2 minute, deflecting a cross into his own net to make it 2-3. But Keane’s ire extended beyond that moment, highlighting Lerma’s overall lackluster display. “That was shocking from Lerma—absolutely shocking,” Keane fumed. “He’s supposed to be a leader in that midfield, but he was all over the place. Slow on the ball, poor positioning, and that own goal? Criminal. If I were Glasner, I’d be telling him to pack his bags and not play him again. Palace can’t afford passengers like that if they want to stay up.”
The defeat leaves Crystal Palace hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone, with just 32 points from 25 matches in the 2025-26 Premier League season. Burnley, meanwhile, climbed off the bottom of the table, breathing new life into their survival bid under Scott Parker. Keane’s comments echo broader frustrations among pundits and fans, who pointed to defensive frailties and a lack of composure as key factors in the capitulation. Fellow analyst Jamie Carragher agreed, noting, “Palace were cruising, but one mistake snowballed into chaos. Lerma’s error was the turning point.”
Glasner, in his post-match press conference, defended his team but acknowledged the need for improvements. “We dominated early, but small errors cost us dearly. Jefferson is a warrior for us, but today wasn’t his best.” However, Keane dismissed any excuses, insisting that senior players like Lerma must set higher standards. “This isn’t a charity match; it’s the Premier League. If you’re not performing, step aside.”
The incident has sparked debate on social media, with Palace supporters divided. Some call for Lerma to be benched in favor of younger talents like Adam Wharton, while others argue his experience is vital. As Palace prepare for their next fixture against Arsenal, Glasner faces mounting pressure to address the midfield woes. Will he heed Keane’s blunt advice and sideline Lerma? Only time will tell, but one thing’s certain: Keane’s words have added fuel to the fire at Selhurst Park.
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