10 Crystal Palace best players admired by many

As Crystal Palace prepare for the FA Cup final, we look back at the greatest players in the club’s history. While Palace have had their fair share of stars, such as Sandor Torghelle and Rudi Hedman, only a handful have truly left a lasting impression on the fans. After consulting with experts and fans, Premiumsoccertips has compiled a list of the 10 Crystal Palace best players. These are players who have brought not only talent but also dedication to the club, and if Palace are to beat Manchester United, the likes of Yannick Bolasie and Yohan Cabaye will also be worthy of being on the list.

Top 10 Crystal Palace best players ever

Throughout its history, Crystal Palace has witnessed the brilliance of many talented players who have left a strong mark in the hearts of fans; let’s take a look at the top 10 best Crystal Palace players of all time, legends that are a source of pride every time they are mentioned.

Top 10: Jim Cannon

Jim Cannon is one of the greatest legends in Crystal Palace’s history, with a remarkable 15-year career dedicated to the club. Signed as an apprentice in 1970, Cannon quickly established himself as a vital part of The Eagles’ defense. Throughout his playing career from 1973 to 1988, he made over 660 appearances for the club, setting a record that no other player has surpassed. His resilience and solid defensive skills helped the team maintain stability and success throughout his time at the club.

A special moment to note is Cannon’s first goal on his debut for the first team in 1973. When facing Chelsea, the Scottish defender scored in a memorable match, showcasing his confidence and attacking ability from defense. With his immense contributions over the years, Jim Cannon became a living icon in the hearts of Palace fans, not only because of his talent but also due to his unwavering loyalty and dedication to the club.

Top 9: Kenny Sansom

Kenny Sansom is one of the most memorable legends in Crystal Palace’s history, widely regarded as one of the best defenders ever to play for the club. He began his football career in the youth team at Crystal Palace, quickly impressing with his talent. During his five seasons with The Eagles, Sansom was not only a reliable figure in defense but also a symbol of resilience and strength. His stellar performances at Selhurst Park caught the attention of bigger clubs, and he moved to Arsenal in 1980, marking a new chapter in his career.

Not only did he shine at the club level, but Sansom also left a significant mark on the England national team, earning more than 80 caps. Notably, he made his international debut while still a Palace player, further emphasizing his outstanding talent from the very beginning. With exceptional defensive skills and brilliant support for attacks, Sansom became one of the most beloved players in English football history and a source of pride for Palace fans.

Top 8: Geoff Thomas

Geoff Thomas is one of the key figures in Crystal Palace’s history, leaving a deep mark through his impressive career at Selhurst Park. Over his six seasons with The Eagles, Thomas made 249 appearances and scored 35 goals, making him one of the club’s top scorers. Notably, he was the captain during Palace’s most glorious years, leading the team to a third-place finish in the top division and reaching the FA Cup final. The captaincy was not just a reflection of his teammates’ trust but also an acknowledgment of his outstanding leadership qualities.

In addition to his club success, Geoff Thomas earned nine caps for the England national team, proving his influence and talent on the international stage. Palace fans respected and admired him not only for his on-field contributions but also for his honest character, commitment, and dedication to the club. His years with Palace made Geoff Thomas one of the club’s living legends, and his name will always be an integral part of The Eagles’ great history.

Top 7: Peter Taylor

Peter Taylor is one of the most interesting and memorable players in Crystal Palace’s history, not only for his role as a player but also as a coach for the club. After trials at both Crystal Palace and Tottenham, Taylor eventually signed with Southend United, where he began to build his name. His impressive performances there caught Palace’s attention, and the club brought him back to Selhurst Park. Remarkably, Taylor’s most successful period as a player came during his three seasons with The Eagles, where he showcased excellent attacking skills and helped the club achieve notable successes.

After retiring as a player, Taylor remained at Crystal Palace in a new role — as a coach. While his managerial stint was brief, the impact he made during that time is still remembered by Palace fans. From an excellent player to a coach, Peter Taylor remains an important figure in the club’s history, not only for his on-field contributions but also for his strategic input in helping the team progress.

Top 6: Attilio Lombardo

Attilio Lombardo is one of the most memorable foreign players in Crystal Palace’s history, despite only playing at the club for a season and a half. The arrival of this Italian player in the summer of 1997 brought a fresh wave to The Eagles, not only due to his talent on the field but also because of his professionalism and intense competitive spirit. Lombardo’s impressive debut at Everton, scoring in his first match, marked the beginning of his successful chapter at Palace. In nearly 50 appearances for the club, Lombardo scored 10 goals, contributing significantly to the team’s achievements during a challenging period.

Though his time at Selhurst Park was short, Lombardo became a beloved legend among Palace fans. The respect he earned from supporters went beyond his role as a player. At the end of the 1997/98 season, Lombardo was appointed as player-manager, a significant milestone in his career at Crystal Palace. Although his managerial tenure was brief, it reflected the trust and affection he received from both the club and its fans, cementing his status as an icon in the club’s history.

Top 5: Andy Johnson

Andy Johnson, now a Crystal Palace ambassador, is one of the greatest players in the club’s history. Arriving from Birmingham, where he didn’t make a big impact, AJ quickly proved his worth at Selhurst Park. Over four seasons with The Eagles, Johnson scored 85 goals in 161 appearances, achieving an impressive record of one goal every two matches. His excellence wasn’t just shown through goals but also through his pivotal role in Palace’s promotion to the Premier League in the 2003/04 season, where he was the club’s top scorer in the Championship.

Although he only played at Crystal Palace for a short time, Andy Johnson left an indelible mark. His crucial goals during the promotion campaign proved his excellent goal-scoring ability and tireless fighting spirit. This success helped him become one of the most beloved players in Palace’s history, and although he has since retired, he still holds a special place in the hearts of fans, now as the club’s ambassador.

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Top 4: Johnny Byrne

Johnny Byrne is one of the greatest legends of Crystal Palace, with two separate stints at the club and over 100 goals to his name, a remarkable feat that few players can match. Joining Palace in 1956, Byrne signed his professional contract on his 17th birthday, marking a promising start to his career. During his first spell from 1956 to 1962, Byrne made a significant impression with his superb goal-scoring ability, becoming one of the club’s key players. He was a cornerstone for Palace in the early 1960s, helping the team reach new heights.

After leaving Crystal Palace in 1962 to join West Ham United, Byrne enjoyed a memorable time there before returning to Palace a season later after a five-year absence. He continued to make an impact, helping the club maintain its strength in the league. Even after leaving Selhurst Park, Johnny Byrne’s name remains forever linked with the glorious history of Crystal Palace, and he is always respected and loved by the club’s supporters for his memorable contributions.

Top 3: Mark Bright

Mark Bright is one of the greatest legends in Crystal Palace’s history and an indispensable member of the Wright-Bright partnership, widely regarded as the best attacking duo the club has ever had. Bright played for Palace from 1986 to 1992, scoring over 100 goals in six seasons, contributing significantly to the club’s successes during that period. Notably, Bright’s career at Palace began with a transfer fee of only £75,000, a figure that now seems remarkably low when considering his value.

The 1987/88 season was the most memorable of Bright’s career at Selhurst Park, as he won the Golden Boot for the top scorer in the Second Division and played a key role in the club’s promotion campaign. One of his most memorable moments was scoring against Swindon Town in the 1988/89 season, a goal that helped Palace secure their place in the top tier. Even after retiring, Bright has maintained a strong connection with the club, frequently appearing at matches and sitting next to chairman Steve Parish, demonstrating his long-lasting love and commitment to Crystal Palace.

Top 2: Ian Wright

Ian Wright is one of the greatest legends in Crystal Palace’s history, widely regarded as the club’s best-ever striker. After impressing Palace scouts while playing for Greenwich Borough, Wright joined the club in 1985, beginning a glorious six-year journey. During this time, he scored over 100 goals for Palace, becoming one of the club’s top scorers in history. Although his time at Palace was brief, the impact he left was unforgettable, helping elevate the club to new heights.

After proving his exceptional goal-scoring talent at Selhurst Park, Ian Wright caught the attention of larger clubs and eventually moved to Arsenal in 1991. However, Ian Wright’s name remains forever linked with Crystal Palace in the hearts of its supporters. Not only did he succeed at the club level, but Wright also earned 33 caps for the England national team, scoring nine international goals, including some memorable strikes against teams like San Marino. With his shining career and remarkable achievements, Ian Wright is not only a legend for Palace but also a symbol of English football.

Top 1: John Jackson

John Jackson is an indispensable legend in Crystal Palace’s history, particularly in the goalkeeper position. He played for the club from 1964 to 1973, making nearly 350 appearances and contributing significantly to the club’s success during that time. Starting his career at Palace as a young player, Jackson quickly established himself as the club’s number one goalkeeper. One of his most remarkable records was playing 222 consecutive matches in the first team, showcasing his durability and reliability in goal.

With his excellent reflexes and solid shot-stopping ability, Jackson earned the nickname “Stonewall” from Palace fans, a name that reflected his steadfastness and safety in goal whenever faced with opposition shots. Jackson’s excellence not only helped Palace maintain stability but also provided the defense with complete assurance. As a legendary goalkeeper, Jackson has etched his name into Crystal Palace’s history, forever remembered by fans as one of the club’s greatest players.

In Conclusion

The Crystal Palace best players just named have contributed not only with their talent but also with their tireless dedication to Crystal Palace, creating legendary moments in the club’s history. Each name carries its own story, a special and irreplaceable mark. Even though the team’s success changes over time, the love and pride that these legends leave in the hearts of Palace fans will always be steadfast. When we look back at the past and remember the great players, we not only see their figures on the pitch but also feel the spirit of Crystal Palace always living in these legends.

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