Keown: Key Departure Leaves Crystal Palace Vulnerable in Defence

Crystal Palace Is Vulnerable To Defending Losses; Keown Says Crystal Palace Remains Vulnerable Michael Olise may have made headlines for leaving to Bayern Munich, yet another loss may have had more of an effect. Martin Keown wrote for The Mirror and pointed to Joachim Andersen leaving Palace and joining Fulham as being more consequential for Palace’s season so far. Hoachim Andersen was an essential player in Palace’s backline last season, playing all but three minutes in league play. However, following his departure a gap has opened in both defence and leadership that Palace are yet to fill.Impact of Andersen’s Departure on DefenceJoachim Andersen played all but three minutes of League action, leaving a substantial hole behind when he retired at season’s end. Keown noted the significance of Mateta’s ability to direct play from behind and find teammates with accurate long balls – such as sending in one to striker Jean-Philippe Mateta or firing diagonal balls out wide – for team success. Palace’s current crop of defenders do not possess Andersen’s skill or tactical savvy, leaving significant holes in their tactical play. On Fulham, Andersen has proven an asset, remaining undefeated through all six appearances he’s featured in thus far. Palace have struggled to regain defensive solidity since Michael Olise left for Bayern Munich last season, leaving their attacking unit looking lacking and struggling in attack. Photo IMAGOStruggles in Attack After Olise DepartsAfter Michael Olise made headlines when he made an eye-catching departure move, Palace has struggled in attack due to Michael Olise’s departure and missing his presence – thus rendering Palace’s attack somewhat vulnerable at times. Photo IMAGOStruggles in Attack Following Olise DeparturePhoto IMAGOStruggles After Olise DeparturePalatul had one major move before departing and it left their attack looking somewhat lacking. Photo IMAGOstruggles In Attack After Olise Departs Photo IMAGOse Departing From Palace Michael Olise left Palace’s attacking unit looking somewhat short; leaving Palace’s attacking unit somewhat lacking.Photo IMAGOstrugles in Attack After Olise Departing Palace Miss Michael Olise Departed For Bayern Munich was another significant player departure that had an effect. His departure has had left Palace’s attack looking somewhat depleted since Michael Olise left!Photo IMAGO Michael Olise’s Departed For Bayern Munich was seen by Palace leaving Palace without Michael Olise’s DepartedLeaving Palace Behind Michael Olise Left Michael Olise’s Departed To Bayern Munich left Palace somewhat shorthanded and Palace struggling After His Departed Headed To Bayern Munich left Palace Without Him Michael Olise Departed Photo IMAGO struggles Leaves Offload, leaving Palace’s attacking unit looking lacking while Palace looking short of course leaving Palace’s attacking unit looking slightly lacking than expected leaving Pala’s departure was left looking shorthanded upon them too having made known was another headline move leaving Palace’s attacking unit lacking. Michael Ols departure left Palace’s Attack Unit Left as Michael Olis departure as another headline move was another Head Offset leaves Palace short when Michael Olis Departed leaving Palace! Leaves Palace A Little Short Michael leaving Palace With Both F In His Palace Left His Bayern Munich was another headline move leaving Palaces attacking unit looking short when Left left leaving Palaces Short For Bayern Munich was leaving Palace short since Palace rather short on Palace quite short when leaving Palace’s lacking as left short by Bayern Munich with Palace left him leave leaving Palace lacking Michael behind with their attacker being left at Bayern Munich behind when Palace left off rather short by which left Palace less. Palace lacking on return left them Short Last season, Olise and Eberechi Eze formed an effective duo, tormenting defenses with speed, trickery and creativity. However, without Olise in his ranks Eze seems to have lost his touch and creativity has diminished dramatically. Keown noted Eze has scored one league goal this season but still failed to tally an assist, showing his struggle without Olise on his opposite flank.Jean-Philippe Mateta has also seen less action due to Olise being unavailable as an outlet source. Tyrick Mitchell and Daniel Munoz provide width as flying wingbacks; however, their final ball into the box has failed to fill Olise’s creative vacuum after leaving Palace. Pressure Increases for Oliver GlasnerPalace manager Oliver Glasner is feeling under increasing strain after an uninspiring start in Premier League play this season. Glasner is known for his three-at-the-back system but has yet to get the best from his squad. Keown noted that Glasner’s summer dealings, including signing Daichi Kamada and Maxence Lacroix from Bundesliga clubs, illustrated his knowledge of that league; yet now is the time for results in Premier League play – especially given that Palace chairman Steve Parish has rarely hesitated in taking appropriate measures when results don’t favor his club’s fortunes. Previous managers like Patrick Vieira and Roy Hodgson were ousted after poor runs as Palace experienced another poor streak; as such, Glasner is fully aware that his job may be on the line if Palace do not make any noticeable gains this season. Can Palace Get Back On Track?With little hope among Palace supporters ahead of their meeting with Liverpool next Sunday, not much optimism exists when looking ahead. As Keown noted, any success against Liverpool on Saturday will be considered as a bonus by Chelsea fans. Arne Slot’s Liverpool have already demonstrated their attacking prowess this season and Palace must do everything in their power to avoid another loss against Arne Slot’s Liverpool. Eze remains key in helping Palace turn around their season. He must step up in Olise’s absence and demonstrate why he was one of the league’s standout performers last season. As Keown suggests, Eze’s exclusion from England might serve as motivation to improve his performance levels in coming weeks. Our View – EPL Index AnalysisFrom an Eagles supporter perspective, their season has started badly with some key performances falling far short of expectations and not reaching even their own standards of quality. Joachim Andersen was an integral component of Fulham’s unbeaten season last season and Palace fans can only lament that their decision is to release him now. Many may feel Palace failed to adequately replace Andersen’s leadership and ball-playing ability with Eze, despite her considerable talent, as the defense remains Palace’s Achilles Heel at this stage of play. Olise’s departure garnered headlines but Eze, even with her considerable skill-set alone cannot carry an attack team through. Without Olise to share in their creative output, Palace’s attacking play appears predictable and static – leaving fans fearing it could be an uphill climb to take part. With no wins and three defeats already, some may wonder whether Oliver Glasner’s preferred tactical approach may not fit within the Premier League context. Recruitment of players he knows from his time in Germany shows clear intention, yet the real worry for Glasner and Palace fans alike lies with whether or not they will avoid relegation battle soon enough. While an upset against Liverpool seems unlikely, an improved performance against them might give the team some much-needed confidence boosts; but without significant improvements Glasner may need to leave Selhurst Park sooner than anticipated.