Premier League review 2018/19: Another slow start undermines top half finish for Crystal Palace

Unlike in 2017/18, when Crystal Palace lost their opening seven league matches, the Eagles started this season with a win. Roy Hodgson’s side didn’t fare too well after beating Fulham on the opening weekend, however, and it seemed like Palace would endure another campaign battling relegation.

Palace entered December above the bottom three on goal difference with just two wins to their name. Their form vastly improved from that point and if the table started from December then the Eagles would have finished eighth and only five points off third.

In order to make significant progress going forward Palace need to stop making such appalling starts to the season. In each of the last two campaigns, Palace have won just four of 24 matches from August to the end of November. From that point onwards, however, only the top-six have collected more points than Palace (78).

Top rated player – Aaron Wan-Bissaka (7.27)

Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s emergence over the last 18 months has been extraordinary and he beats Wilfried Zaha as Crystal Palace’s highest WhoScored rated player in the Premier League this season.

The 21-year-old has been heavily linked with a summer move with Manchester United and Manchester City and it’s no surprise given the level of consistency he showed this season. Wan-Bissaka only finished 10 of his 35 league appearances with a WhoScored rating below 7.00 and won three WhoScored Man of the Match awards in that time.

Given his age, and the position he plays in, it’s remarkable that he was only dribbled past 10 times in the league all season. Furthermore, only two players completed more tackles and interceptions combined than the Palace starlet (213) in England’s top-flight this term.

Biggest Disappointment – Max Meyer

Crystal Palace pulled off a coup to sign Max Meyer on a free transfer last summer but Roy Hodgson will certainly hope there is more to come from the 23-year-old next season.

The Eagles reportedly agreed an eye-watering £170,000-a-week three-year deal to sign Meyer and he certainly didn’t come close to repaying that outlay in his first season in England.

Meyer only scored one goal and provided two assists in 29 league appearances this season and huge improvements will be demanded next term. Admittedly, Palace’s formation doesn’t cater to Meyer’s best attributes and Hodgson will need to work out how to get the best out of the German going forward.

Surprise Package – James McArthur

James McArthur doesn't look like much of a player on the face of it but the 31-year-old proved this season just how effective he can be for Crystal Palace, even when asked to play a variety of roles. Whether it was in central midfield in a 4-3-3 formation or out wide to provide balance in a 4-4-2 system, McArthur carried out both with aplomb.

Despite perhaps being valued for his industry rather than his technical ability, McArthur was extremely influential in the final third - registering more assists than any other Crystal Palace player in the Premier League this season (six), one more than star attacker Wilfried Zaha.

McArthur played a direct hand in six goals in the Premier League in 2017/18 but scored or assisted nine times this season - a personal best in a top-flight campaign. 

Where to Improve – Goalscoring striker

Crystal Palace improved their goals tally from 2017/18 by six this season but Roy Hodgson will almost certainly look to address his issue in attack during the summer.

Christian Benteke, who has scored four league goals in 50 league appearances over the last two season, has been forced to the fringes under Hodgson, who has even preferred wingers Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend up front over the Belgium international in that time.

Palace signed Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea on a season-long loan deal but the Eagles are not expected to prolong his stay after a rather mixed stint at Selhurst Park. Hodgson will therefore be forced into action in the summer, where he may even have to find a replacement for star forward Zaha.

League Position: 12th

Grade: C