Crystal Palace: Who is the Eagles’ most improved player this season?

Name: Damien Delaney
Position: Centre-Back

Delaney has been impressive for a Palace side that sit eighth in the Premier League.

When Crystal Palace failed to bring a centre-back into the club during the summer, many Eagles’ fans would have worried that 34-year-old Damien Delaney was going to be a weak link in the defence.

However, despite some disappointing form from the team in recent weeks, the club still sit eighth in the table and their defender has been anything but weak, and has actually been of the club’s most improved players so far this campaign.

The Irishman has thrived under the leadership of Alan Pardew, and has made almost two more clearances on average per game this term than his much praised partner at the heart of the Palace defence – Scott Dann.

As well as that stat, only Dann, James Collins and Ashley Williams have made more blocks per match in the Premier League this season, showing that Delaney isn’t afraid to put his body on the line for his team.