BBC pundit and former Premier League forward Jermaine Beckford has praised Crystal Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita for his display at Everton.
The 34-year-old shot-stopper, valued at £2.7m on Transfermarkt, was certainly the busier of the two goalkeepers at Goodison Park, making six saves compared to the five made by his opposite number (from WhoScored) on his way to a 7.84/10 rating – the highest amongst his Palace teammates and bested only by James Rodriguez on the other side.
It certainly helped keep the Toffees at bay as Palace staged a spirited fightback to dent their opponents’ hopes of finishing in a European place, and speaking on the BBC 5 Live Football Daily podcast, Beckford was full of praise for the team, but also for the Spaniard in particular for his efforts in securing the draw:
“The front four players – Ayew, Eze, Benteke, Zaha – were fantastic all game. Kouyate and Cahill looked really solid at the back.
“Guaita, probably his best game for Crystal Palace. You know, if he’s able to maintain standards like that, then Crystal Palace will pick up a lot more points, so I’m confident [they can end the season strongly].”
Should Palace offer Guaita a new contract?
YES
NO
TIF Thoughts on Jermaine Beckford’s comments about Crystal Palace this season…
One reason that could be behind this good performance is what faces a number of players at the end of the season. There are a number of players who are out of contract at the end of the campaign, and even though he has a contract that sees him through until the summer of 2023, with Roy Hodgson’s contract in the balance and names being circulated as to who could take over, he is effectively playing for his future at the club.
A new manager could be on his way in that might fancy a change at the position. So he has got to be in the best form that he can be, otherwise he could find himself going out the door just as the new man comes in.
In other news: ‘Could be that man’ – Darren Ambrose tips ‘fantastic’ 49 y/o to replace Hodgson at CPFC