Crystal Palace's Anan Khalaili Faces Scrutiny Over Defensive Lapses

Israeli talent Anan Khalaili, who recently joined Crystal Palace from Union SG for a reported 25 million euros after a move to Inter Milan fell through due to a heart condition, is facing criticism in England for his defensive awareness. The Premier League club's summer signing has been highlighted in a tactical analysis by The Athletic for recurring issues in his right-wing-back position.

Crystal Palace has struggled defensively this season under manager Jean-Louis Gasset, conceding 11 goals in their first four matches, the worst record in the league. Khalaili's positioning and decision-making have been implicated in at least two of the goals conceded in their recent 3-2 loss to Ipswich Town. In one instance, he was caught in a two-on-one situation and mistakenly believed an opponent was offside, forcing a teammate to cover and leading to a dangerous cross. In another, his attempt to create an offside trap alone left an opponent unmarked to score.

The Athletic's analysis suggests Khalaili's defensive struggles are part of a systemic issue, as the team's aggressive pressing style leaves large spaces behind the wing-backs vulnerable to counter-attacks. While acknowledging these defensive shortcomings, the report also notes that Khalaili's individual performance metrics are strong. According to WhoScored, he ranks fourth among all new Premier League signings who have played at least 260 minutes, with an average rating of 7.28, indicating his talent may still prove valuable for Crystal Palace.

The article contrasts Khalaili's difficult start in the Premier League with his promising individual statistics, suggesting that despite the criticism, his talent is evident and Crystal Palace's significant investment could still pay off.