Crystal Palace's Anan Khalaili Faces Defensive Criticism Amidst Strong Start

Crystal Palace's defensive struggles have been highlighted in a recent analysis by The Athletic, with the team conceding the most goals in the Premier League after four matches. Israeli player Anan Khalaili, who joined the club this summer as a right wing-back, has been specifically noted for recurring defensive lapses.

In the match against Ipswich, Khalaili was involved in two goals. For the equalizer, he misjudged a potential offside trap, leaving his team vulnerable. The analysis described his defensive awareness as a "recurring problem" during the Ipswich game, forcing teammate Chris Richards to cover for him, which ultimately did not prevent the cross leading to the goal. Khalaili was also implicated in the second Ipswich goal when he attempted an individual offside trap after Palace's press broke down, leaving Davis unmarked to score.

Despite these defensive criticisms, the analysis acknowledged that the team's midfield also failed to provide adequate cover, and Richards was slow to react. A similar defensive vulnerability was observed in the match against Fulham, where Khalaili's aggressive press on Antony Robinson opened up space on the flank, though primary responsibility was again attributed to Richards and the midfield's slow response.

The overarching issue identified is that opposing teams are exploiting the space left behind Palace's aggressive wing-backs. However, Khalaili has also registered an impressive individual start to the season. According to WhoScored, he ranks fourth among all Premier League summer signings who have played at least 260 minutes, with an average rating of 7.28.