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10 forgotten Crystal Palace players from the Premier League era
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Cian Cheesbrough
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Ashley Cole spent half a season at Crystal Palace early on in his career
Ashley Cole spent half a season at Crystal Palace early on in his career

Crystal Palace are a staple of the Premier League nowadays but have endured harder times in and out of the top flight during the last 30 years.

As a result, plenty of high-profile stars have pulled on the blue and red shirt that are easily forgotten.

Here are 10 players who you may not have realised represented the club.

Ashley Cole (2000)

Before going on to establish himself as arguably the Premier League's best left-back of all time at Arsenal and then Chelsea, Ashley Cole spent half a season cutting his teeth at Selhurst Park.

The England centurion made 14 appearances during the second half of the 1999-00 Championship campaign, brilliantly scoring his first professional goal against Blackburn.

Edgar Davids (2010)

Iconic Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids turned out for Crystal Palace on a pay-as-you-pay contract
Iconic Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids turned out for Crystal Palace on a pay-as-you-pay contract

After his legendary years for Ajax and Juventus and before his bizarre stint as Barnet's player-manager, Edgar Davids spent three months with Palace in 2010.

Joining on a pay-as-you-play contract, the legendary former Netherlands midfielder managed just seven appearances between August and October.

Mathieu Flamini (2016-17)

Mathieu Flamini will be familiar to English fans from his two stints with Arsenal but the campaign he spent in South London in 2016-17 is less commonly remembered.

Injuries limited the Frenchman to just 13 appearances in all competitions before he left for Getafe. 

Now 39, Flamini is CEO and founder of biochemical company GFBiochemicals — estimated to be worth £21billion.

Neil Ruddock (2000-01)

Neil Ruddock had a less than memorable spell with Crystal Palace
Neil Ruddock had a less than memorable spell with Crystal Palace

Neil 'Razor' Ruddock enjoyed stints for the likes of West Ham, Tottenham and Liverpool before ending up at Palace during the latter stages of his career.

Joining on a free transfer in 2000, ex-Eagles chairman Simon Jordan revealed a weight clause was inserted into his contract to ensure the defender remained in shape during his time south of the river.

Loic Remy (2016-17)

Loic Remy was another notable name in that 2016-17 squad that Palace fans did not see the best of.

Signing on loan from Chelsea, the striker managed just one Premier League start and failed to find the net in his five league appearances overall.

Emmanuel Adebayor (2016)

Emmanuel Adebayor's final English club was Crystal Palace
Emmanuel Adebayor's final English club was Crystal Palace

Emmanuel Adebayor's eventful career has seen him turn out for Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Tottenham… and Palace.

The charismatic Togolese striker opted for the Eagles over Aston Villa in January 2016 after reportedly having a bad dream about his agreed switch to the West Midlands.

Max Meyer (2018-2021)

Palace fans have rarely been as excited about a new signing as they were when Max Meyer arrived from Schalke in 2018.

But the German midfielder never got going in England with the majority of his 46 Premier League appearances coming in his first season before his contract was mutually terminated in 2021.

Alexander Sorloth (2018-2020)

Alexander Sorloth has enjoyed a strong career after his disappointing stint at Crystal Palace
Alexander Sorloth has enjoyed a strong career after his disappointing stint at Crystal Palace

Alexander Sorloth has enjoyed prolific spells in Europe with Trabzonspor, Real Sociedad and now Villarreal but he could not find that scoring touch in England's top flight.

The imposing Norwegian striker joined Palace for £9m in January 2018 but was shipped out on loan just a year later after one goal in 20 appearances.

John Egan (2012)

Irish defender John Egan spent a month on loan with Palace from Sunderland during the early stages of his career.

It did not work out with the Eagles or the Black Cats but he has enjoyed a more than respectable career with Sheffield United, who he has racked up more than 200 appearances for.

Shola Ameobi (2015)

Shola Ameobi spent nearly 20 years at Newcastle before being reunited with former Toon boss Alan Pardew in South London during the second half of the 2014-15 campaign.

The Nigerian forward made only four substitute appearances as Palace went on to finish a respectable 10th place.

Ray Wilkins (1994)

Ray Wilkins broke his leg on his Crystal Palace debut
Ray Wilkins broke his leg on his Crystal Palace debut

Ray Wilkins is fondly remembered by Chelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan fans but even Palace supporters may have forgotten his one appearance for them in 1994.

Joining from QPR, Wilkins broke his foot on his debut in a 6-1 defeat to Liverpool and never played for the club again.

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