Williams attributed the delays to the planning system and the need to secure agreements with different contractors.
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"Even when you have got planning application confirmed from the council, there are still so many conditions and hoops that you have to jump through to get started.
Clearly, it's very frustrating for Palace fans – but I think the failure here is one of expectation management from the club rather than the actual duration of the process itself," Williams said.
He drew a parallel with Leeds United, which dropped KSS after they designed the revamped Elland Road and appointed BDP Pattern for actual construction.
"The designs for the stadium stay the same, but the actual construction will be delivered by BDP Pattern.
They are separate contracts," Williams explained.
In a related development, Crystal Palace is preparing to offer a significantly improved contract to 26-year-old French defender Maxence Lacroix, according to a report by teamtalk.
com on May 17, 2026.
The club aims to double his current £50,000 per week salary to deter interest from multiple European clubs.
Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Aston Villa are monitoring Lacroix, who is valued at £50 million.
Inter Milan, Napoli, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund also maintain interest in the center-back.
Lacroix joined Crystal Palace from Wolfsburg in 2024 on a five-year contract lasting until June 2029.
He was recently selected for the France national squad by Didier Deschamps for the upcoming summer World Cup.
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Crystal Palace will face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final at the Red Bull Arena on May 27, 2026.
