Crystal Palace’s 2025/26 defence is one of the strongest in the club’s history, built around an elite centre-back pairing and two high-impact wing-backs. Here is a ranked look at the Eagles’ best centre-backs and full-backs this season.
Top Centre-Backs in 2025/26
1. Marc Guéhi – The Defensive Leader
Marc Guéhi is the standout Palace defender and one of the Premier League’s best centre-backs in 2025/26. He anchors the middle of Glasner’s back three, combining excellent positioning, leadership and progressive passing, and has already chipped in with goals and an assist in early-season league matches. Advanced metrics and fantasy analysis rank him among the club’s top performers for defensive contributions and overall ratings.
2. Maxence Lacroix – The Athletic Enforcer
Summer signing Maxence Lacroix has transformed Palace’s back line with pace, recovery speed and aggression. Analytics sites show Lacroix leading the team for “defensive contributions” (interceptions, blocks, tackles) in 2025/26, narrowly ahead of Guéhi and Chris Richards. His presence on the right of the back three allows Palace to play a higher line and compress the pitch without being as vulnerable to balls in behind.
3. Chris Richards – Versatile Back-Three Glue
Chris Richards offers vital versatility, able to play right centre-back, cover at full-back or step into midfield when Palace build from the back. He ranks just behind Lacroix and Guéhi in defensive contribution metrics and has become a trusted starter whenever Glasner uses his strongest XI.
Best Full-Backs and Wing-Backs
1. Daniel Muñoz – Elite Two-Way Wing-Back
Daniel Muñoz is arguably the most influential full-back at Palace, combining relentless running with end product. By mid-season he had already produced a goal and three assists in just 10 league appearances and was among the top five FPL defenders for points, reflecting his attacking threat and clean-sheet potential. Analysts highlight his overlapping runs, cut-backs and pressing as central to Glasner’s 3-4-2-1 system.
2. Tyrick Mitchell – Defensive Rock on the Left
On the left, Tyrick Mitchell continues to be one of Palace’s most consistent performers. He offers strong one‑v‑one defending and improved ball progression from wing-back, and current-season ratings put him level with Lacroix (7.14 average) and just behind Guéhi and Muñoz in overall performance. Mitchell’s homegrown status and durability also make him a key part of the squad’s core.
3. Nathaniel Clyne – Experienced Depth
Veteran Nathaniel Clyne now provides experienced cover rather than starting every week, but remains an important squad player. His ability to slot in on either flank and maintain defensive structure gives Glasner reliable rotation options during a congested season of Premier League and Conference League fixtures.
2025/26 Palace Defenders Ranked
With Guéhi and Lacroix setting an elite platform in the middle and Muñoz and Mitchell driving play from the flanks, Crystal Palace’s 2025/26 back line has become one of the most formidable defensive units in the Premier League and a major reason for their success in Europe.
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