When judging who is the best Crystal Palace defender for the 2025/2026 season you need to combine raw statistics, consistency, influence, and how well a place fits within Oliver Glasner’s system. Based on recent performance and trajectory, Marc Guéhi emerges as the top candidate, but Maxence Lacroix also deserves some serious accolates. Below is a breakdown of the contenders, supporting data, and rationale.
Key Defensive Contenders
At Palace, the primary defenders in focus are:
- Marc Guéhi (centre‑back, often the defensive anchor)
- Maxence Lacroix (centre‑back, brought in to boost athleticism and pace)
- Daniel Muñoz (full‑back/wing‑back, who contributes both defensively and offensively)
While full‑backs like Muñoz are vital, for a title of “best defender” we lean towards the centre‑back roles, where the margin between good and elite is often narrower (but Munoz is still an elite level player in his own right!).
Early 2025/26 Performance & Momentum
In the early months of 2025/26, Guéhi has continued to chime in with contributions:
- 6 starts, 1 goal, 1 assist so far in the league (correct as of writing).
- Guéhi remains a centerpiece in Palace’s backline; there was even significant drama around a failed £35 million move to Liverpool, showing how central he is to the club’s plans.
- Lacroix has also started matches and demonstrated his capacity for speed, recovery, and defensive blocks.
So, the 2025/26 campaign is shaping up as a showdown: Guéhi’s consistency and leadership versus Lacroix’s dynamism and evolving metrics on the pitch for the red and blue,
Why Marc Guéhi is My Pick as “Best Defender”
Here’s why Guéhi edges ahead for 2025/26:
- Leadership & experience
Guéhi has already been the defensive lynchpin, organising the back line and providing steadiness. His leadership value is higher than raw stats alone. - Proven consistency
Over multiple seasons, Guéhi has delivered strong performances, fewer dips, and regular availability, an important trait across a full season. His 34-game season in 2024/25 is evidence of durability. - Goal contributions
Center‑backs who can chip in offensively add extra value. Guéhi’s 3 goals in 2024/25 show he offers more than pure defense. - Trust from the club
The fact that Palace blocked a major transfer out signals Guéhi is viewed internally as indispensable. - Room to grow still
Even though Lacroix is improving, Guéhi still has growth potential and has not yet plateaued, making him a smart pick for “best in season” rather than lifetime best.
Acknowledging Lacroix & Others
Lacroix may in time overtake Guéhi, especially if he maintains low error rates, high recovery rates, and grows in positional sense. His pace and athleticism give him a head start in modern defensive demands. Full-back Daniel Muñoz also deserves mention: in the 2024/25 FA Cup final, Muñoz assisted the match’s only goal and was named Man of the Match. But in terms of central defensive dominance, Guéhi remains the preferred pick for 2025/26 given his head start, consistency, and influence.
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