CRYSTAL PALACE thought they had qualified for the Europa League when they won the FA Cup.
However, due to Uefa’s rules regarding multi-club ownership, they have been demoted to the Conference League, pending appeal.
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The fans are understandably frustrated by this turn of events but the prospect of the Eagles taking on comparatively weak teams on Thursday nights (play-off dependant) should excite Dream Team managers.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at their top performers, smart selections and potential flops.
TOP PERFORMERS
We have to start with Daniel Munoz (£5.5m), Dream Team’s outright best defender of 2024/25.
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The Colombian wing-back was the only player in his position to achieve 300+ points, courtesy of six goals, eight assists, 152 tackles and 17 clean sheets.
Ferocious in defence, effective in attack, Munoz is an absolute gem worthy of his high price tag.
The same can be said for Eberechi Eze (£5.5m), who remains on Palace’s books despite transfer speculation.
A natural talent who picks up bonus points for fun, the England international ranked fifth among midfielders last season.
It’s a brave Dream Team boss who goes without Eze on a Thursday night when Oliver Glasner’s side are up against a team they’ve never heard of before.
For two years in a row, Jean-Philippe Mateta (£4.5m) has started slowly before suddenly transforming into one of the Premier League’s most prolific scorers midway through the campaign.
Ten of the 14 league goals he scored in 2024/25 came after New Year’s Day.
The Frenchman’s stats could go stratospheric if he hits the ground running this time around — he’s found the net a few times in pre-season if that counts for anything.
Mateta is another who might really benefit from Palace’s European demotion.
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SMART SELECTIONS
Munoz deservedly hogged the spotlight last term but there’s value to be had elsewhere at the back.
Dean Henderson (£3.5m) was one of just three goalkeepers to celebrate a double century of points in 2024/25.
Some would argue that achievement should have resulted in a higher price tag this time around; gaffers of this opinion have themselves a bargain.
There’s a case to be made that Tyrick Mitchell (£4m) is the most underrated defender in the game ahead of Gameweek 1.
The hardworking left-back currently features in just 0.8% of teams created despite the fact he finished ninth among assets in his position last season.
He averaged five points-per-game, a rate superior to Gabriel (£5m), Marc Cucurella (£4.5m) and Ibrahima Konate (£5m) to name just three!
If Mitchell’s price tag feels a tad steep then Maxence Lacroix (£3.5m) offers a more affordable route into Palace’s defence.
Not many outside of South London would have noticed the French centre-back’s consistency but he’s become a reliable lieutenant of Glasner’s and last season he ranked joint-eighth for clean sheets among defenders.
A similar ranking is certainly achievable this season with Conference League fixtures in the schedule.
POTENTIAL FLOPS
Honestly, there aren’t many beartraps lurking in Palace’s squad.
Those lacking point-scoring potential have barely been picked by anyone so it seems gaffers have a decent read on things.
It’s probably worth mentioning that Adam Wharton (£3.5m), for all his obvious attributes, doesn’t tend to earn that many points.
For whatever reason, his classy contributions don’t translate to substantial returns.
That may change this season but it’s probably best to stay clear of the highly-rated 21-year-old early doors.
In fact, Palace are usually slow starters and their August fixtures aren’t all that favourable but September brings league games against Sunderland and West Ham, plus Conference League group games (assuming they get through the play-off).
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