With the 2021/22 season at an end, it’s now time to take a look at which Crystal Palace players have stood out across the campaign and to choose the best.
Patrick Vieira helped overhaul the first-team squad last summer following the departure of Roy Hodgson, with several new faces arriving in SE25 and helping Palace to finish 12th whilst adopting a new, possession-based style of play. Some of those new players hit the ground running at the club and didn’t stop, forcing their way into the conversation of player of the season alongside some more familiar faces.
Take a look below at which five members of the Crystal Palace squad we’ve selected as potential players of the season and see who we’ve gone with from the group, and have your say by voting in the survey below or here.
Wilfried Zaha (37 appearances, 15 goals)
The Ivorian international has been Crystal Palace's man for the big occasion time and time again over the last decade, and this season was no different, with important goals coming in wins over Spurs, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United. Zaha's form peaked during the second half of the campaign upon his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.
The winger scored nine goals in the final 16 Premier League games of the season, including a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Southampton and a brace to help down Watford 4-1 at Vicarage Road.
Conor Gallagher (39 appearances, 8 goals)
Voted the club's player of the season by fans at their award ceremony in May already, Conor Gallagher's season-long loan from Chelsea couldn't have gone much better for either party following a stellar campaign in red and blue.
The midfielder's early-season form was crucial to him earning his first senior England call-up in November, while his important contributions in the FA Cup helped Palace reach just their fifth-ever semi-final - which Gallagher was sadly unable to feature in against his parent club. Nevertheless, he returns to the Blues, having developed as a player and helped Palace transition into their new, high-energy playing style more comfortably thanks to his efforts in midfield.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Leave a comment with your choice for player of the season
Marc Guehi (42 appearances)
Another arrival from west London, albeit a permanent one this time, Marc Guehi has been a colossus at centre-back for Palace this season, making 42 appearances - the most of any in the squad - and captaining the side several times during the second half of the campaign as well as making his senior England debut.
He finishes the season having made the tenth-most touches of the ball of any player in the Premier League, with his composure on the ball a key factor in the club's decision to sign him and make him a key figure in Vieira's rebuild. A popular figure in the dressing room, Guehi was voted as the players' player of the season by his teammates.
Joachim Andersen (39 appearances)
An understated key member of the team this season, Joachim Andersen's presence at the back has been integral to the team's success. The Danish international has formed an almost unbreakable partnership with Marc Guehi both on and off the field and is, like the Englishman, an effortlessly comfortable passer of the ball.
His trademark long diagonal passes up the pitch have given Palace a different way of transitioning into attack at pace, and he finishes the campaign having successfully completed 518 long balls in the league this season, over 200 more than Guehi in second and goalkeeper Vicente Guaita in third.
Tyrick Mitchell (41 appearances)
After making his breakthrough in the first team last season under Roy Hodgson, Tyrick Mitchell has backed that up by coming on leaps and bounds in his first full Premier League campaign under Vieria. The left-back was an ever-present for long periods of the season and, like Gallagher and Guehi, earned his first senior England call-up thanks to his form.
Mitchell was voted the club's young player of the season and was shortlisted for the Premier League's young player of the season. As an academy graduate, he's one of the most popular players within the Palace fanbase, and it only looks like he'll get better and better with more game time.
Writer's choice - Marc Guehi
While the goals from Wilfried Zaha and Conor Gallagher run them close, the biggest competition behind Marc Guehi for me was Tyrick Mitchell. The left-back just had a slight drop-off in form towards the end of the season after the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea at Wembley, whereas Guehi has been just a little more consistent.
The centre-back is also my pick for what he has done for Patrick Vieria this season, helping his manager convey his message across the team and being the obvious choice to be made captain during the second half of the campaign. He's been a calming influence on the pitch and now deserves a chance to go to the World Cup in Qatar with England later this year.
Be sure to leave your thoughts on Palace's best performer by leaving a comment below!
