- Crystal Palace’s Annabel Blanchard wins award
- Attacking midfielder starred this season
- WSL beckons for exciting attacker
Annabel Blanchard was rewarded for her incredible performance for Crystal Palace Women this season, as they earned promotion back to the WSL.
Blanchard was awarded the Fans Player of the Season at Selhurst Park on Sunday, 10, as the Men’s team fought a tough battle with Everton, ending with a 2-2 draw.
The 25-year-old was involved in every WSL game for the Eagles this season, playing a core part in the promotion battle with seven goals and three assists across all competitions.
This year, Blanchard also joined Molly-Mae Sharpe and Aimee Everett in making their milestone 100th appearance for the South London Club.
Blanchard has been a stand-out player since her arrival four years ago. She began her career within the Liverpool Academy before spending two years at Leicester City and a season at Blackburn Rovers.
Jo Potter Issues High Praise
Speaking to CPFC late April after a 2-1 victory in Sunderland, Potter was full of compliments for the performance from Blanchard this season:
“I think she’s so influential in the team and how we play and she’s come on leaps and bounds this year.
“I think the growth and what we’ve seen in her, both on and off the pitch, has been incredible.
“You guys won’t see it off the pitch, but we definitely see it day in, day out. She’s a pivotal part of this group and she’s a winner.
“She wants the best. She’s never happy. She’s never settled and it’s great.
“There are times where I have to tell her: ‘we’re doing well, you’re doing good’ – but she always wants more.
Blanchard Likely to Shine in WSL
In Palace’s first-ever season in the Women’s Super League, Blanchard made history with a brace against Leicester in October 2024 to score the Eagles’ first WSL goals and earn their first-ever top-flight win.
With the Eagles certain to try and consolidate their position in the WSL next season, Blanchard will certainly be an integral part of the attack.
The 25-year-old is contracted to remain in South London until the Summer of 2027, after she temporarily left last summer and rejoined. With her ability, she could have found her way into a WSL team, but instead assisted the Eagles in earning their historic second promotion.
