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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
For a large part of life with Wayne Hennessey in between the sticks, plenty of Crystal Palace fans had grown tired of the Welshman.
Some supporters took aim at the former Wolves glovesman for his performances against Watford and Doncaster last season, and also called for Vicente Guaita to replace him in the FA Cup quarter-final trip to Watford.
Judging by the statistical comparison between Hennessey and the Spaniard in 2018/19, they had every right to.
Last term, Roy Hodgson evidently wasn’t 100% decided on his No.1 stopper, with Hennessey making 18 league appearances whilst Guaita made 20.
As you can see in the above graphic, the difference that Guaita has on the side when in between the sticks is significant in comparison to when Hennessey plays.
Guaita kept two more clean sheets than the Wales international, and also conceded just 23 goals as the Eagles won 50% of their games with the 32-year-old in goal, compared to just four wins from 18 with Hennessey.
The former Getafe keeper also made zero errors leading to goals, whereas the Welshman made one.
You would be forgiven for thinking Palace’s good defensive record from last season was mainly down to the form of Aaron Wan-Bissaka – one of the standout defenders from last term – and you would also be within your rights to think that the Eagles’ solidity at the back would be dented by his departure to Manchester United.
However, as things stand, the south Londoners have the best defensive record in the Premier League this season having conceded just two goals whilst keeping two clean sheets from four games, with the 6 foot 3 Guaita starting all of those matches.
Obviously, Wan-Bissaka had a huge say in Palace picking up 12 clean sheets last term – the sixth-best defensive record in the league – but there is quite evidently another huge factor behind their sturdiness at the back.
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