The Athletic Ranks Khalaily High, Sees Long-Term Potential

Anan Khalaily is making a significant impact at Crystal Palace, according to The Athletic's squad ranking for the 2026/27 season. The Israeli player has secured the eighth spot out of 21 players assessed, highlighting his growing role in manager Jean-Pierre Sarr's rotation. Khalaily's early season performance has been noted for his intensity and contributions on both ends of the field.

The Athletic pointed out that Khalaily leads the Premier League in tackles this season, though they cautioned this might indicate Palace's defensive struggles or occasional positional inaccuracies rather than solely a positive trait. However, his offensive contributions have drawn praise, with the publication describing him as "threatening offensively" and a "promising long-term solution" for his position, despite ongoing defensive learning.

Khalaily is seen as a strong long-term replacement for Daniel Muñoz, who transferred to Nottingham Forest. The Athletic's assessment suggests Khalaily is a good successor to Muñoz, a considerable compliment for a player new to the Premier League. The analysis also touched upon his link-up with Chris Richards, ranked 17th, noting that Richards struggled when Khalaily pushed forward, illustrating the attacking freedom granted to the Israeli player and the defensive balance Palace is working to achieve.

Khalaily was also involved in a key moment during the 0-0 draw against Leeds before the international break.