Crystal Palace flop admits time at club ‘useful’ for one thing – Reveals he didn’t understand anything at beginning

In the rich and detailed history of Crystal Palace football club, it’s unlikely that striker Nicola Ventola takes up much space.

In fact, it would be surprising if the Italian was even mentioned in the footnotes, such was his brief, unremarkable spell at Selhurst Park.

Yet, a spell there was. Signed on loan from Inter Milan in July 2005, there was presumably the hope that Ventola would be the man to score the goals that could keep Crystal Palace up.

That, sadly, did not prove to be the case. Ventola proved to be a massive flop, managing just three appearances and one goal, a strike in the 2-2 draw with Southampton at the end of the season, as Palace were relegated back down to the second flight.

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It was a sad, utterly forgettable year for the striker, who did not go on to better things, managing just six goals in 90 appearances, although one of them did come in the Champions League.

These days he’s retired and working as a commentator in Italy and recently sat down for an interview with Passione del Calcio.

In the course of the interview, the subject of Crystal Palace came up, with him admitting it was good for one thing only; learning the language.

“The experience in England at Crystal Palace was useful for me to learn the language,” he admitted.

“But at the beginning, I didn’t understand anything, how to be on the field etc. Nevertheless, I managed to score a goal.”

Hardly a glowing recommendation of life in England from Ventola, who must look back at the move and wonder why he ever thought it’d be a good idea. A sentiment we’re sure Crystal Palace share.