Crystal Palace’s handling of Darío Osorio is causing quite a bit of frustration in Chile. And a local commentator is certainly making his feelings known.

The winger has barely had a look-in under Pierre Sage since arriving from Midtjylland in the summer. Even with Palace struggling, the manager keeps leaving him on the bench.

Pons has now had a go at Sage twice in less than a week. His latest complaints came during Thursday’s 1-1 Europa League draw with Hoffenheim.

And, to make things a little more awkward for the Palace boss, Osorio eventually came on and played a part in the equaliser.

‘They bought Osorio to be a starter’

Chilean outlet RedGol has covered both episodes, starting with Palace’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham last weekend.

Osorio came on in the 75th minute, replacing Dwight McNeil. Pundit Jorge Baravalle thought that change was long overdue.

“For me, this substitution should have been made at the start of the second half,” he said.

Commentator Juan Manuel ‘Bambino’ Pons wasn’t happy with the timing either.

“What a moment for the Chilean. Osorio will only have 15 minutes to play, in a difficult game, 2-0 down.”

He had even more to say after the final whistle.

“They bought Osorio to be a starter and he’s on the bench. He plays 20 minutes. That’s how it is,” Pons complained.

“These are things managers do… But they’re the ones who know and who work with the squads every day, no?”

There was a little sarcasm in that last bit of course. Still, he couldn’t understand why Palace had spent so much on Osorio only to give him the odd few minutes.

“People say, ‘How can he go there? They pay him quite a lot and don’t play him.’ He’s got fire and character. Why can’t they change the course of the game?”

Pons loses patience again against Hoffenheim

Fast forward to Thursday, and Pons was back on the same subject. Palace were having a difficult evening against Hoffenheim, and Osorio was once again sitting on the bench.

By the 71st minute, the Argentine commentator had apparently had enough, as per RedGol again.

“Palace are playing really badly. Isn’t Osorio in the squad? I’m asking that question,” he said during the coverage.

“Isn’t he ready to play in the Premier League? I’m asking that question. Isn’t he ready? It’s strange that Osorio doesn’t play.”

Four minutes later, Sage finally sent Osorio on, replacing Jean-Philippe Mateta. And wouldn’t you know it, the Chilean ended up involved in Palace’s equaliser.

He played a part in the move which led to Daichi Kamada making it 1-1, rescuing a point against the German side.

It wasn’t a goal or an assist for Osorio, but he did have a hand in the move that got Palace back into the game.

Pons clearly thinks Sage should give him more of a chance. And after Thursday’s contribution against Hoffenheim, he’s got another reason to keep asking the question.