Crystal Palace’s Current Position and Struggles
Crystal Palace sit 12th in the Premier League after 25 games, with seven wins, nine draws, and nine losses. Their 30 points put them seven shy of a top-half spot and 13 above the relegation zone. Despite taking an impressive 13.9 shots per match—the 10th highest in the league—the Eagles have only scored 29 goals. They also average 43.8% possession, the fourth lowest in the division.
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However, their defensive stability, conceding just 32 goals from 13 shots per game, has provided a solid foundation for recent form.
Midfield Challenges
The Eagles have struggled to find consistency in central midfield. They have rotated players like Cheick Doucoure, Adam Wharton, Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes, Justin Devenny, and Daichi Kamada in those positions. Even Marc Guehi filled in due to injuries at one point.
Glasner’s system demands midfielders who can control tempo, break up play, and support all phases of attack and defense. However, inconsistency and fitness issues have plagued their performance.
The Missed Opportunity: Albert Sambi Lokonga
Lokonga joined Crystal Palace on loan from Arsenal in January 2023 but made only nine appearances. Since then, he spent a season on loan at Luton Town and then moved to Sevilla, where his performances have improved dramatically.
His development even drew comparisons to Moises Caicedo, highlighting his progression over the last 18 months.
Lokonga vs. Doucoure and Caicedo
Comparing Lokonga’s stats to Doucoure and Caicedo shows Lokonga’s strengths in progressive carries and passing. His passing completion rate (89.7%) and passes into the final third (5.16 per game) outshine Doucoure’s and are comparable to Caicedo’s.
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However, his defensive metrics—such as tackles and interceptions—are lower than the other two.
A Potential Regret for Palace
While Lokonga may lack the defensive presence of Doucoure and Caicedo, his balanced game could have provided much-needed depth for Palace’s midfield.
A return on loan with an option to buy might have been a valuable move to bolster their squad amid injuries and inconsistencies.
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