Ahead of Crystal Palace’s defeat against Liverpool in the Premier League Asia Trophy this afternoon it had been confirmed Jason Puncheon would act as Frank de Boer’s captain this season.
On Tuesday, whilst delivering the pre-match news conference prior to the 2-0 defeat suffered in Hong Kong, which means Palace will face West Brom in the third/fourth place play-off, de Boer announced his decision.
De Boer told the Official Website the midfielder had been leading by example and has proven in his three weeks of pre-season training he was the man to wear the armband as he was an ‘example of what Crystal Palace is.’
‘He has to be an example for the team and understand the philosophy of what we want, and he can be that not just for the first-team players but also for the youngsters and that`s very important.’
Adding: ‘At the beginning I had a look around and got to know everyone better but I had my information that he would be the best captain and he has proven that in the past three weeks. Therefore, for me there was no discussion; he is our captain. He knows the responsibility and what that means, and he has to be an example of what Crystal Palace is.’
Puncheon was handed the armband during the absence of defender Scott Dann to end the Premier League season last time round and said it was a ‘proud moment’ to be named as full time first team captain at Selhurst Park in succession to Dann.
‘It`s a proud moment but the important thing for me is transferring what we want to be as a football club from the management and coaching staff to the players, whether they are senior players or youngsters.’
