Joel Ward Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward is backing creative duo Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise to keep up their excellent form in front of goal and go from strength to strength.
The duo both hit landmark figures during the Eagles’ 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday, with Eze’s brace seeing him hit double figures for goals this season while Olise’s assist for the second means he’s the first Palace player to record 10 assists in a single Premier League campaign.
The victory for Roy Hodgson’s side was their fifth in their last eight games and sees the club draw level on points with London neighbours Chelsea, who sit 11th in the table.
Joel Ward said: “Ebs’ quality is incredible, with what he does on the ball, the way he manipulates it and the way he just seems to glide over the pitch – it’s mesmerising at times. It’s fully deserved, and he’s doing the other side of the game as well, which we need him to do in midfield. He’s taking control and linking up beautifully with the front guys. All-round, he’s developing, he’s moving up, and his future will be very, very bright. Michael’s a special talent. The world’s his oyster and he’s just getting better and better from game to game, so I think he’s going to go onto new heights and set the bar. If he continues that way, he’s going to go on to special things. They certainly make my life a little bit easier when I can just give them the ball, and they go and do their magic!”
