March 16 2014

Julian Speroni

Can Julian Speroni make Argentina's World cup squad - our guest writer Kyle assesses his chances.

It's been a remarkable second half of the season for Tony Pulis and Palace.

They've transformed their season from nigh on certain relegation to two points clear of the drop zone, with a game in hand. And the man between the sticks has been an ever-present in that.

Julian Speroni has put in some incredible performances in recent weeks for the Eagles who now, thanks to some Jamie Seekings maths, are only a possible eight points from safety.

The 34-year-old has earned the praise of Pulis and fans alike since Christmas and the fact Palace are picking up points despite being the lowest scorers in the league is testament to him and the back four in front.

However, Premier League survival isn't the only thing on the Argentinian's wish list for the remainder of the season, he also has his eyes firmly placed on a place on the flight to Rio.

The stopper has failed to make a senior appearance for his South American nation, only making the starting line-up of the under-20s team once, but still dreams of making the squad that are second favourites on the World Cup Free Bets page.

He told goalkeeping glove manufacturer, Sells: "Since I played for the under-20s side it's been a dream of mine to play for the senior national team.

"Obviously it's not my decision so all I can do is keep working hard, keep performing and hopefully the call will come and I will get my chance."

He faces some stiff competition however. Sergio Romero, Mariano Andujar, and Agustin Orion have all got the nod ahead of him in the past few years, and even despite his heroics at Selhurst Park, Speroni failed to make the squad for their friendly versus Romania in Bucharest just a few weeks ago.

It will no doubt be the keeper’s last chance to earn a first cap for his country and his chances will be helped by Romero’s lack of first team action this season.

The 27-year-old first choice has only made four appearances for Monaco this season and will have to sharpen up before the tournament to have any chance of hitting top form in Brazil.

This is where the Eagles number one could come in. He clearly isn't fancied by coach Alejandro Sabella, but performances in arguably the world’s top division surely won’t go unnoticed.

Pulis has certainly been impressed with the man who has played 341 games for Palace and would be delighted to see his star man on the flight come June.

"Julian has been very good this year for us but I'm not going to tell another manager who he should pick and who he shouldn't pick.

"It would be lovely if Julian could (go to the World Cup) and we’d be really, really pleased for him."

That of course will be down to Sabella, but one thing's for sure, Speroni will be sat waiting by the phone in May, and there is no reason he shouldn’t be.