Some Crystal Palace fans are hailing defender Jeffrey Schlupp after the midfield man scored a crucial goal for them in a win over Bournemouth.
The versatile player got the Eagles all three points recently, despite the fact that Mamadou Sakho was sent off within the first 30 minutes of the game. Schlupp’s second-half goal saw Palace rise to as high as fifth in the table (Guardian).
That was before Manchester United beat Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, but Palace are currently seventh in the league. They are only two points adrift of fifth-placed Wolves (Premier League website).
But Palace fans can’t stop hailing Schlupp and his recent performances for the club, with one suggesting he would be in a Barcelona jersey next season, although that would be a rather unlikely scenario to happen.
Crystal Palace fans: Is Schlupp the club's most important player?
Yes
No
Schlupp gonna be marauding down that left hand side like a prime roberto Carlos
— Ethan (@Ayew_SZN) December 5, 2019
Jeffrey Schlupp LB masterclass
— Schlupp the f*ck up (@matthew_poole30) December 5, 2019
It’s going to be very upsetting watching @Jeffrey_Schlupp wearing a Barcelona jersey next year @CPFC #BallondOr2020
— sean urquhart (@seanurquhart28) December 4, 2019
oh yeah of course jeff schlupp >>
— chloe| 74 (@chloooeee28) December 4, 2019
Rashford has clearly been watching @Jeffrey_Schlupp on the telly#MUNTOT #CPFC
— GazBod (@gazbod) December 4, 2019
Schlupp has played every other position for us than RB & GK, can’t wait for his appearance in net
— Luke (@SomePalaceGuy) December 6, 2019
The 26-year-old Ghanaian has played in multiple positions for the Eagles so far this season. But against the Cherries, he was a left-back. And the second-half goal was his second in just as many games as he had also scored against Burnley to seal all three points this past weekend. He has scored two goals in all competitions this season.
He has featured 13 times in the Premier League so far and also has two assists to his name. Last season, the versatile left-footer had played 37 times in all competitions for the club. He found the back of the net five times had also had three assists to his name.
He also played as a central midfielder last season, playing there 13 times. This season too, he has played four times in the midfield for Palace.
The former Brentford man arrived at Selhurst Park from Leicester City in the summer of 2017 for a fee of £12m. Since then, he has played 93 times in all competitions for the club.
What do we think?
Schlupp has shown that he’s a proper Roy Hodgson man. His versatility and high work rate make him arguably one of the first names on the teamsheet for Palace. And his completeness as a player has been crucial so far.
As the season wears on, he will be just as important. While a top ten finish seems possible currently, it is the performance of players like Schlupp that can make it a reality.