Kelly’s Crystal Palace career looked as good as over.
Crystal Palace’s Martin Kelly in action against Arsenal’s Theo Walcott
Martin Kelly’s Crystal Palace career looked as good as over as recently as mid-March.
Despite failing to appear in just one of the Eagles’ first 20 Premier League fixtures this season, an eight-game spell out of the side, combined with the fact his contract expires this summer, suggested that Kelly’s Selhurst Park exit was near.
But after his display against Arsenal on Monday, there could be hope yet for the 26-year-old.
Kelly, playing in a less familiar centre-back role for only the second time this campaign, helped Palace to a clean sheet against the Gunners, who were emphatically put to the sword by Andros Townsend, Yohan Cabaye and Luka Milivojevic strikes.
And the responses to Kelly’s tweet afterwards suggest that the Merseysider has finally won over his critics:
With the futures of Damien Delaney and Mamadou Sakho uncertain beyond the end of the season, a new deal could soon be on the cards for Kelly, assuming he can replicate his performance against Arsenal.
Should Crystal Palace keep Kelly on board next season?
Crystal Palace’s Martin Kelly in action against Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck
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