Adrian Clarke looks at six players who could be instrumental to their side’s hopes of staying in the Premier League.
Luka Milivojevic
Wilfried Zaha is understandably lauded as Crystal Palace’s most valuable player, but Luka Milivojevic runs him very close.
The Serb provides Zaha and his fellow front men with a significantly stronger platform upon which to construct their attacks.
His ability to cover vast amounts of ground, turning possession over, allows Palace manager Roy Hodgson the option of fielding two natural wingers.
Hodgson is happy to deploy a bold 4-4-2 for certain matches because he knows Milivojevic will firm up his midfield.
No Palace player runs further or at a higher average speed than him.
2017/18 Palace running stats
| Midfielder | Km covered/90 | Ave speed km/h |
|---|---|---|
| Luka Milivojevic | 12.0 | 7.43 |
| James McArthur | 11.9 | 7.41 |
| Yohan Cabaye | 11.4 | 7.14 |
Always looking to pounce on the second ball or engage in physical contact with his opponents, Milivojevic’s primary role is to recycle possession for his team-mates. He does it incredibly well.
No Palace player wins the ball as much as him, and only three other central midfielders, Nemanja Matic, Wilfred Ndidi and Idrissa Gueye, have done so on more occasions.
Cabaye partnership
Milivojevic has also made the fourth-highest number of interceptions in the Premier League. However, here, his total of 57 falls two behind his midfield partner, Yohan Cabaye.
The two Palace central midfielders are outstanding at picking off loose passes.
Milivojevic has caught the eye with eight goals this season, of which six have come from the penalty spot. But his main function is to reclaim the ball and release it quickly to Palace's forwards.
Milivojevic in 2017/18
| Milivojevic | Nearest team-mate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Possession won defensive third | 103 | 84 | Van Aanholt |
| Possession won middle third | 98 | 73 | McArthur |
| Tackles | 73 | 57 | Schlupp |
| Ball recoveries | 215 | 145 | Cabaye |
| Accurate long balls | 93 | 59 | Tomkins |
Over the closing stretch of their campaign Milivojevic will be pivotal to Palace's objective of staying in the Premier League.
Also in this series
Part 1: Tadic creativity key to Saints' destiny
Part 2: Assured Mawson Swansea's shining light
Part 4: Unfamiliar role adds to value of Cresswell
Part 5: How Shelvey can help Newcastle hit their target
Part 6: Schindler has strength for Huddersfield's tests ahead