Crystal Palace squad ladder: Timber tops the tree, but will Richards climb higher next month?

The Athletic has published its first monthly Crystal Palace squad ladder under new manager Pierre Sage, ranking midfielder Quinten Timber at the top of the squad. Following a busy summer featuring 11 new signings, the rankings assess player form and influence across the opening stages of the campaign. Tyrick Mitchell, Daichi Kamada, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and captain Dean Henderson round out the top five.

The publication highlights Timber's immediate impact as a tenacious £14 million box-to-box presence, while defender Chris Richards currently sits at 17th after a slow start. The Athletic notes that Richards and Jaydee Canvot could climb the ladder next month as the squad continues to adapt to Sage's system.