SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Against Aston Villa on Boxing Day, Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojevic looked like he’d eaten one too many mince pies on Christmas Day.
The Serbia international was sluggish and clumsy, a point reinforced by the fact he committed four fouls at Villa Park – no Palace player recorded more.
One offence in particular down by the corner flag was infuriating. The ex-Olympiacos man had no need to commit a foul in an area where standing your ground would suffice.
However, Milivojevic gave away a freekick, which Kortney Hause went on to nod home.
It raises the question: why did Roy Hodgson recall him to the side?
The Eagles started the season well, winning their first two games in which Milivojevic was named on the bench, as Transfermarkt shows.
He was eventually given a first Premier League start of the season in the 2-1 win over Fulham.
However, his second start of the campaign away to Wolves saw him receive a straight red card and a consequential three-game ban.
Jairo Riedewald shone before, and during, Milivojevic’s absence.
For whatever reason though, Hodgson decided to drop the Dutchman and play the Serbian as soon as he was available for selection once again.
It was a move that reeked of a manager sticking with his favourites, while ignoring what was happening before his very eyes.
After another ineffective, clumsy display in an eight-day period where Palace conceded ten goals in two games, Hodgson simply must stop starting Milivojevic.
