BY ALEX PEWTER
From Friday’s paper:
When Crystal Palace and Bournemouth played out a stalemate on Boxing Day, a notable element was missing – Daniel Munoz, otherwise an ever-present in the team at right wing-back in the Premier League this season.
The impact of the Colombian, which has only increased since Michael Olise was sold to Bayern Munich, has been sizeable since his arrival just less than a year ago, writes Alex Pewter.
Whether it has been out of choice or necessity, the team have become relatively one-dimensional in their approach to attacking, with the athleticism of Munoz and Ismaila Sarr a key factor.
Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea was another perfect illustration of how right-sided heavy the team has become. Munoz’s average passing position was in advance of either of the attacking midfielders.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner was keen to praise their partnership afterwards.
“When you see the stats of Ismaila Sarr and Daniel Munoz, they are runners. They can play with such a high intensity and are very direct. We know that when we switch the play against a back four, we have a two-versus-one.
Crystal Palace v Chelsea – Premier League,, Selhurst Park,, 04 January 2025Picture : Keith Gillard
“What Chelsea were doing, whether it was (Jadon) Sancho or (Noni) Madueke in the second half, they had to follow them – creating a back five. But these are attacking players. When we keep going there, it’s a question of time until maybe they lose the ball. Sancho had one on the edge of his own box, but it’s not where he wants to play.
“It’s a pattern of how we want to play, when we attack with five, wing-backs on both sides and two players in the pocket – which is what we did much better within the second half. Our number 10s were more in the pocket, and we could create these situations, with the big chance for Ebs (Eberechi Eze). It started with Ismaila in the pocket, carrying the ball then Danny Munoz going in behind.”
When you look at the shot-creating actions, which include the two actions prior to a shot, rather than just focusing on the final pass, the combination of Sarr and Munoz in open play makes up 23 per cent of the team’s entire figure for the season.
After 19 appearances this season, Munoz has two Premier League goals and a single assist but that underestimates his attacking contributions.
Nor should we write off Munoz as being a one-way talent, even compared to the more orthodox and accomplished Tyrick Mitchell on the opposite flank. Statistically, Munoz has impressed out of possession.
His total of 71 attempted tackles leads the second-highest Mitchell by 14 and far exceeds the rest of the squad. Over his wing-back colleague, that’s an additional tackle per 90 minutes. The marked difference is where those attempts are being made – sixty-eight of Mitchell’s come in the defensive third of the pitch compared to 45 per cent of Munoz’s. The South American has made the most in both the middle and final third.
Munoz has also acted as an attacking asset for Oliver Glasner’s team without the ball. Even his failed attempts to recover the ball still disrupt the flow of the opposition’s play. His recovery of the ball from Cole Palmer led to the equaliser against Chelsea.
“At the end of the first half we did better, playing more in their half,” said Glasner. “Daniel Munoz (helped in that regard) in the second half with his runs. For our goal, it was the fourth or fifth ball he won in the opposite half. With his passion and intensity, he’s very important to us.”
Munoz will turn 29 at the end of this season and will no doubt attract the interest of teams home and abroad with his elite stamina and work-rate – especially in an era where wing-backs are highly valued.
For now, he’s undoubtedly outperformed his transfer fee and likely his contract, which runs until the end of the 2026-27 season, with the option of a further year.
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD