The fourth in our series of articles as a selection of TEB writers continue to choose their favourite players in each position.
We must stress, this is NOT the best, but our favourite. In some cases, our favourites are the same but in others there are players that have been so likable while not being particularly the best.
Already covered are goalkeepers, right backs and left backs so it is time to make choices for the centre back position and there is quite a list to choose from as it is one position that seems to breed likable characters.
JIM CANNON and DEAN AUSTIN
This was the hardest position for me to pick. We’ve had so many players at centre back who I’ve loved watching for Palace – Eric Young, Andy Thorn, Fan Zhiyi, Tony Popovic, even Clint Hill and Rambo. But I picked two, just.
Jim Cannon probably speaks for himself. When I started watching his time with Palace was winding down but for a couple of seasons he lead the team with pride and passion, popping up with plenty of important goals along the way, too. As close as you’ll find to a one club player and a true Palace hero.
Alongside Jimbo, is another of those players from the 1999/2000 team. Deano was probably more known for his customary handclap than anything he did on the pitch. After some pretty poor performances, Austin was one of the few players left standing as the club almost went bust. Did he get any better? Probably not, but he sure as hell made up for lack of skill with full effort every time he stepped onto the pitch.
SCOTT DANN and JOSE FONTE
Our current captain is certainly the best central defender I have seen in a Palace shirt, there was just no way Scott Dann was not going to be included in my favourite XI. The first half of the 2013/14 season saw Palace concede the highest amount of goals by any side in the division, but the shrewd signing of Dann for a mere £2 million coincided with Palace’s sheer increase in form under Tony Pulis in the second half of the season. The former Birmingham defender continued his great form under Neil Warnock, standing out in a below-average side, before shining under Alan Pardew as the Eagles soared up the Premier League table. Dann is now a talismanic figure at Palace and his remarkable goal record stands out just as much as the goals he prevents in the final third. His ball playing ability and general calmness at the back are his best attributes and an international call up is surely awaiting in the near future.
The next best centre back to Dann is Jose Fonte, who has gone on to have a very prosperous career since leaving Selhurst Park, including earning a Euro 2016 winners medal in the summer. In a Palace shirt, Fonte was very similar to Dann, an astute distributor of the ball with incredible assurance, which is something that actually looked out of place in Warnock’s Championship sides. With Palace in serious trouble in early 2010, Fonte took advantage of the Eagles’ desperation for funds and moved to Southampton, although his citing of wanting Premier League football seemed weird at the time with the Saints in League One. The South Coast side were promoted to the top flight a year before Palace and have since had successive Europa League campaigns with Fonte at the very heart of the success.
TONY POPVIC and DAMIEN DELANEY
A natural leader and a solid defender. Poppa never let us down with his effort or commitment over his five years at the club, even if he was prone to the odd rash of blood to give away a penalty or own goal. However, he even managed to do that in style as his ‘Ronaldiniho flick’ away at Portsmouth looped over Julian Speroni and into the net, placing him into Christmas DVD folk-law. After retiring, Popovic returned to Selhurst as an assistant manager, where his defensive organisation was evident in Dougie Freedman’s team. And finally, Popovic cemented his place in my heart when I lived in Australia and his presence as manager of Western Sydney Wanderers allowed me to adopt a second team without feeling I was cheating on Palace.
From crying on the stairs at Wembley to charging at the referee on his debut against Sheffield Wednesday, Damian Delaney has certainly always worn his heart on his tattoo-covered sleeve for the club. Our hot-headed Irishman seemed washed up when he arrived on a short term contract in 2013 after Freedman had practically begged him not to quit the game. Yet here we are, four years and plenty of amazing moments later, Damo is still desperate to fight for us and lead this club forward, after captaining us for much of last season. Besides, anyone who gives Diego Costa nightmares isn’t just a Palace legend, but a football one.
DAMIEN DELANEY and ERIC YOUNG
I don’t think I really need to explain in great detail, why I love this beautiful man. Everyone, and I mean everyone knows that ‘Double D’ is my favourite player. Yes, he may not play the slickest, cleanest football and many berate him for his long balls. He did however, score that first goal at ‘Crystanbul!’ The Cork boy for me, will always hold a special place in my heart, and in years from now I will fondly remember him and I will treasure dearly the day I saw him in the Player’s Lounge on my thirtieth birthday and grabbed him for a hug! Love you Damo. Sláinte!
I was only six in 1990 when the legend that is Eric Young signed for Palace from Wimbledon, as I wasn’t as into football then as I am these days. However, Young, is one of those players that even if you weren’t around then, all Palace fans still know about him and that’s why he’s one of my favourites. Nicknamed ‘Ninja’ for the iconic headband he always wore, he was the backbone of Palace’s defence, partnered with Andy Thorn. He was a first team regular and was part of the team the finished in the top three of theonld First Division. Looking back at the archives and watching videos, he was highly regarded by Palace fans and seemed pretty cool. I guess if I was to liken him in terms of coolness to one of today’s team, it would be Pape Soaure. Purely because of their love for funky head wear.
DAMIEN DELANEY and SCOTT DANN
These guys. Wow. I love ‘em. I adore them. How Scott Dann hasn’t had a call up for England, I simply do not know. Statistically and categorically the best English centre back in the Premier League and by some margin. He scores a lot of goals for us too, the Andrew Flintoff of the football world. A top all-rounder, and a leader of men. If anyone deserved the club captaincy after the sad departure of Mile Jedinak then it was him.
What can I say about Damien Delaney that hasn’t already been said? Yes, he’s a bit of a donkey, yes he’s a bit slow, and yes, if I’m honest, he probably isn’t a player that you’d think could cut it in the best league in the world. BUT, he does, and he defends with aplomb. Aplomb being getting in the way of every single shot that comes his way.
If you watch a montage of his defending online, all you’ll see is him diving in the way of shot after shot, game after game, year after year. Another top Freedman signing, another top class professional, another fan favourite. He has done remarkable things for this club, and we should all be grateful he chose Palace to re-ignite his professional career.
ERIC YOUNG and CHRIS COLEMAN
Welsh international Eric Young was instantly likeable. It was not just the iconic headband that gave him the nickname ‘Ninja’. It was an awful lot more than that. Arriving at Selhurst before a game in arguably the most normal car you would see, the Singapore born centre back just did what was expected of him. Brilliant in the air, hard to beat on the floor and he simply loved a good sliding tackle. His legs were everywhere. Palace was the club he made the most appearances for in his career but he worked his way through Slough Town, Brighton and Wimbledon before finding his way to Selhurst Park.
Not sure if it is a Welsh thing or not but my second choice was tough, very tough. Craig Moore is simply the best centre back I have seen at Palace with Scott Dann a very close second but there was something about the popular Cookie that I just adored. Maybe it was his incredible thighs glistening in the South London night but there is no doubting that as a centre back he was full of passion, a bit like you see from Damien Delaney today. As an emergency striker, he was simply brilliant. Not that he scored many but he looked completely youthful in the position, as if he was not completely sure what his job was, but loving every moment of it. He chased absolutely everything down with goalkeepers and defenders alike in panic mode seeing the Welsh international thundering their way.
The series will return for the next international break as we take our time to decide who our favourite midfielders are.
