Crystal Palace player ratings: 2017/18 season
The 2017/18 seasin was a strange one for Crystal Palace with Steve Parish’s attempts to change the style of play leading to a poor start under Frank de Boer, before Roy Hodgson guided the Eagles to safety.
De Boer lost his first four games in charge of the Eagles without scoring a single goal and Parish can deserve some credit for identifying his error so quickly. This run extended to seven league games without a win and without scoring. This led to Palace becoming the first Premier League team to survive such a bad start.
Wilfried Zaha’s influence has been key for Palace’s survival this season. They have lost all ten games in which he hasn’t started but they are a force to be reckoned with when he starts and with Hodgson bringing in his organisational skills, a worrying season turned into a mid-table finish.
It is unreal that the Eagles have stayed up considering their shocking start to the season, after which, everyone thought that they were certain for relegation to the Championship.
Here are the player ratings for what has been a roller-coaster of a season for the Eagles.
Wayne Hennessey - 7
The Welsh international was shaky between the sticks in the first-half of the season, however, his recent performances in the big games have been confident and assuring.
Julian Speroni - 6
The club legend didn’t feature as much as he would have liked but he stepped up to the plate superbly when Hennessey endured an underwhelming run of form.
Joel Ward - 6
Mr Reliable let himself down on a few occasions this season but started to improve when his position came under threat from Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah - 7
The on-loan Mn United man showed great maturity and amazing pace in the full-back role. Promising signs for the future.
Martin Kelly - 7
Has been criticised following his consistent poor performances at the start of the season. Improved later on under Hodgson.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 8
The academy product has stepped in and taken his chance magnificently in what has been a great season for the youngster. Future star in the making.
James Tomkins - 9
Has been a rock at the back for Palace forming a formidable partnership with Mamadou Sakho, one which remains unbeaten.
Scott Dann - 6
Had a disappointing start to the season but has stepped up when needed off the bench.
Mamadou Sakho - 8
Has been excellent for the Eagles. He does do a few odd things at the back but his partnership with Tomkins had made Palace an incredibly hard team to beat.
Damien Delaney - 4
There are suggestions that he may be getting on a bit now and that has been obvious in his poor performances when he has featured.
Patrick Van Aanholt - 8
The Dutchman didn’t start well but he has been phenomenal and borderline unplayable these past few months.
Jeffrey Schlupp - 6
Hasn’t featured a lot and has been mainly used as a squad player but has impressed off the bench when needed.
Pape Souare - 5
It was always going to be hard to recover from his car accident but the fans have shown him amazing support and there is hope that he can be his old self again next season.
Andros Townsend - 8
Townsend has improved massively under Hodgson and has been one of the standout players in recent months with a number of crucial assists.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 9
The on-loan Chelsea man is just too good. The fans are begging for him to stay and when you see him play, you will be amazed as to why Chelsea let him go in the first place.
Yohan Cabaye - 7
His contract is up but his consistent performances in the heart of Palace’s midfield won’t do him any harm in terms of earning another contract in South London.
Luka Milivojevic - 9
The Serbian has been immense all season. A very close contender for Player of the Season and most fans will agree that he has been one of the club’s best signings in recent years.
James McArthur - 8
Underrated massively. Has been impressive in Palace’s counter-attacking display and deserves credit for Palace’s turnaround.
Bakary Sako - 7
The Malian international surprised everyone with his improved performances around the Christmas period and provided Hodgson with a great backup for Zaha.
Jason Puncheon - 3
The club captain was shocking up until he was ruled out for the rest of the season due to an injury sustained against Manchester City.
Jairo Riedewald - 6
Featured as a centre-back under De Boer but impressed off the bench when brought on as a centre-midfielder.
Chung-yong Lee - 4
Hasn’t featured much this season due to the form of Wilfried Zaha.
Wilfried Zaha - 10
What can I say? Without the Ivorian, Palace would probably be in the Championship. He has torn defences apart all season and undoubtedly deserves to be the club’s Player of the Season.
Alexander Sorloth - 6
Showed flashes of class against Everton and Manchester United and has the potential to replace Benteke in the near future.
Christian Benteke - 4
The Belgian has really struggled for goals this season netting only twice. However, he has contributed to a range of goals this season, showing his importance to the front line.
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