'Hughes has long achieved cult status from the Selhurst crowd'published at 12:26
Alex Pewter
Fan writer
Will Hughes' next appearance will be his 100th for Crystal Palace in all competitions. His arrival at the end of the 2021 summer transfer window was overshadowed by those of Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen and Michael Olise – but that has often been his role in the team.
Largely unappreciated by then-manager Patrick Vieira, his role grew under Roy Hodgson, but has flourished under Oliver Glasner. It's fair to say that even heading into this season, he would have been considered a capable fourth choice in a group of four talented defensive midfielders—at least on paper.
Yet, with a series of injuries to his competition, Hughes has been the consistent thread in midfield throughout the season. Against Manchester City, it was his turn to receive wider recognition for his footballing ability.
Hughes has long achieved cult status from the Selhurst crowd. The calls of his name come with any completed pass, clattering tackle, or foul (tactical or otherwise). In the Premier League, the stat line reads one goal, five assists, and 22 likely deserved yellow cards, but notably never a red.
Two of those assists came on Saturday. The first was after recovering the ball in midfield; his weighted-through ball broke the lines to free Daniel Munoz en route to the goal. The second was a rare Palace corner goal, the in-swinging ball finding Maxence Lacroix.
More impressive is the fact that 13 years after making his senior debut for Derby County, he has been forced to remodel his game entirely. A creative force as a youngster, he had already made an England U21 debut aged 17 and a half, and a big move seemed inevitable.
Injuries may have scuppered those hopes, but the tenacious midfielder of today still has those flashes to dribble clear of danger, play under pressure, and excel with the mental side of the game.
With a rivalry game against Brighton next weekend, it's likely the first big challenge of the game will come from Hughes, and the fans will love him for it.
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