Palace's Premier League Top 10s: Passers

Club

29 Jun 2023

In celebration of Palace’s 10 years in the Premier League, we’re taking a look back at some of our Premier League top 10s.

Palace’s Top 10 Premier League goalscorers
Palace’s Top 10 Premier League appearances

10. James Tomkins - 4,070 passes (two assists)

Kicking off the Palace’s Premier League top 10 passers is the longstanding defensive stalwart James Tomkins. He is the first of many centre-backs on this list and has managed to rack up over 4,000 passes during his seven seasons in south London.

His best season for passes came in 2018/19, where he notched 1,111 in total in 29 appearances. One of those passes was an assist for James McArthur to open the scoring away at West Ham United in that same season.

Tomkins’ only other assist in red and blue was for Wilfried Zaha in the 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion in 2019/20.

9. Joachim Andersen - 4,274 passes (three assists)

In just two seasons in SE25, Joachim Andersen has already broken into the side’s top 10 passers. The centre-back is known for his long-diagonal balls, however he also plays a pivotal part in building up play from the back which helps build his passing numbers up.

He has recorded three assists so far for the side, two of which came in the remarkable 3-0 victory over Arsenal in 2021/22. The other assist he has recorded came in the chaotic 3-3 draw with Burnley, also in 21/22.

When he spoke to Premier League Productions, he said: “[Long passing] something I have got in my locker, it would be stupid not to use that weapon when you have got the wingers we have.”

8. Marc Guéhi - 4,547 passes (one assist)

Following his centre-back partner, Marc Guéhi is also in Palace’s top 10 passers after just two seasons. He has notched 300 more than his counterpart, and was Palace’s top passer in 21/22 and 22/23.

Guéhi is typically first to receive the ball from a goal kick scenario, as the side builds up play from the back. Despite his passing dominance, he has only one assist to his name and that was in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa in 21/22.

7. Scott Dann - 4,866 passes (seven assists)

The fourth and final centre-back in Palace’s top 10 passers is none other than Scott Dann. In eight seasons in south London, the towering defender notched almost 5,000 passes and seven assists.

His best season for passes came in 2015/16, where he managed 1,116 of them - one of which was an assist for Bakary Sako’s last minute winner against Aston Villa. Dann was also joint-top scorer in 15/16, with five goals to his name.

6. Patrick van Aanholt - 4,962 passes (six assists)

In four and a half seasons at Selhurst Park, Patrick van Aanholt was a threat down the left-hand side. Whether he was deployed at left-back or further up the field as a left winger, the Dutchman was always involved in the play.

He registered over 1,000 passes in 18/19 and in 19/20. Van Aanholt also managed to assist the first goal of the campaign in 18/19, playing an incisive ball into the path of Jeff Schlupp who fired home a fierce shot in the box.

5. Jason Puncheon - 5,040 passes (19 assists)

At the half-way point of Palace’s top Premier League passers is Jason Puncheon. The midfielder was the beating heart of the Eagles’ attacks in the early seasons after promotion.

He is the first player on the list to have over 5,000 passes to his name and he is the first to have double digit assists. In a 3-1 win at Upton Park in February 2015, Puncheon became Palace’s first ever player to register three assists in one game.

4. Wiflried Zaha - 6,625 passes (29 assists)

The Eagles’ talisman is number four in the list, with over 6,000 passes to his name. He has been a constant presence in the side since returning on loan in 14/15 and along with his 68 Premier League goals, he also has 42 assists to his name.

Zaha only recorded 696 passes in 16/17, though he managed 11 assists in that campaign - his highest return. Two of those assists came in the 3-3 draw against Hull City at the KC Stadium; the same game in which he rifled Palace ahead with a fierce effort

3. Luka Milivojević - 7,558 passes (Five assists)

The recently departed captain is on the podium for Palace’s top passers. He topped the passing charts in four of his six-and-a-half seasons in south London, as well as topping the goalscoring charts on two occasions.

Despite his prolific passing, he has only registered five Premier League assists. The pick of them was his delightful pass into Zaha for him to head home Palace’s third in the 3-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.

2. James McArthur - 8,615 passes (23 assists)

The runner-up in Palace’s top 10 passers is another departing midfielder in James McArthur. The Scot has racked up over 1,000 passes in five different seasons and is one of two players to have over 8,000 in total.

He was equally adept at picking passes as he was in breaking up the play in his defensive midfield role, with 23 assists to his name. His last in red and blue came against Southampton, as he set up Zaha for a last-minute winner.

1. Joel Ward - 9,635 passes (six assists)

Top of the charts is Palace’s current longest serving player - Joel Ward. In his 10 years of wearing the famous red and blue, he has averaged almost 1,000 passes a season.

Of his six assists, he set up Puncheon for the iconic goal against Norwich City which effectively sealed safety in 2015/16.

Club
First-team
Joel Ward
Marc Guéhi

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