Crystal Palace’s Patrick van Aanholt is becoming one of the most reliable left-backs in the Premier League. However, the imbalance provided by the other flank is something that Roy Hodgson and Dougie Freedman need to address.
On the chalkboard
The Netherlands international was once again impressive against Watford on Saturday. He picked up a SofaScore rating of 7.5, managing four interceptions and making one key pass as the Eagles prevailed 1-0 at Selhurst Park.
With three goals this campaign, the 29-year-old is Palace’s joint-second highest goalscorer in the Premier League. But whilst he provides attacking threat on his flank, Joel Ward’s failure to match him shows exactly where the London outfit need reinforcement.
Imbalance
As we have so often seen this campaign, van Aanholt is a huge contributor to Palace’s attacking aspirations. Alongside the three goals he has managed this term, as previously mentioned, he also has 1.1 key passes and 1.1 crosses per game – he finds himself in the top two amongst his teammates in both departments.
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The problem, though, is that there is a lack of balance due to the man on the opposite flank.
Ward is obviously a solid defensive option – he has averaged 1.9 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game, which both put him in Palace’s top five – but going in the other direction he offers very little. He has managed 0.2 key passes and 0.2 dribbles per match, and he was once again a passenger in an attacking sense this weekend – he managed none of either, and was unable to even attempt a single dribble.
It is not as though van Aanholt fails to contribute at the back – he has 1.4 tackles and 1.5 interceptions himself – but he at least provides an outlet in the opposing third as well. Ward’s failure to do the same leaves Hodgson’s side imbalanced.
The Eagles have no problems defensively – they have conceded just 32 times in 29 matches – but the fact they have managed just 26 goals themselves indicates that they can afford to be a little more expansive going forward. It is glaringly obvious now where they need improvements – Palace must make sure they get their business right this summer.
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