Impressive stat shows Cabaye signing is already paying dividends at Palace

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The Frenchman has made a great start to life at Crystal Palace.

After five Premier League games, Crystal Palace sit sixth in the top-flight table, having earned three impressive victories – including only Jose Mourinho’s second ever league defeat at Stamford Bridge.

And that’s despite losing their most recent clash against high-flying Manchester City – only at the death.

With the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham so far floundering by comparison, Palace’s outstanding start raises all kinds of possibilities when it comes to how well the south London club can do this season.

A long list of strong performers are owed credit for the Eagles’ form but one in particular is already proving his £10 million switch to Crystal Palace this summer, fee as reported by BBC Sport, a masterstroke.

Indeed, as Opta stats show, no Premier League player has won more interceptions than Yohan Cabaye so far this season.

The only man to surpass 20 so far, Cabaye has been instrumental to Palace’s strong start to the campaign – one which almost saw them become the first team to take a point off league-leaders City.

Jack Cork has averaged more interceptions per minute, as too has Laurent Koscielny, but neither have won as many challenges as the Crystal Palace midfielder, who is also one of the best tacklers in the top flight.

Breaking up play, then, is one of the 29-year-old’s specialities – something boss Alan Pardew knows all about from his time with the Frenchman at Newcastle United. The £10m signing is already paying huge dividends.