The signing of Vicente Guaita is proving to be an inspired piece of business by Crystal Palace.
An arrival on a free transfer last summer following his release from La Liga outfit Getafe, the 32-year-old has gone on to make 16 appearances across all competitions thus far and is currently first-choice ahead of Wayne Hennessey.
Whilst he struggled in last weekend's FA Cup quarter-final defeat at the hands of Watford, the Spaniard has been the best performing goalkeeper in the Premier League since the beginning of the year.
What Gent and Palace have said about Alexander Sorloth's future as striker makes pointed remark
According to CIES Football Observatory algorithm, Guaita has outperformed the likes of David de Gea, Alisson, Ederson and Bernd Leno since January 1st.
Despite only keeping two clean sheets in this period, Palace's stopper did make some crucial saves at vital times in games against Southampton and Leicester City in which his side took four points from.
To be the one of the best performing players in the league in 2019 so far is proof that this deal is even better value than fans first realised.
Hodgson spoke about just how impressed he's been with the Spaniard ahead of Palace's defeat against Manchester United last month.
"We knew what we were signing," the Eagles boss told reporters. "Obviously we worked hard to get him, it was a six month effort to get him here and persuade him this was the right place for him and of course Wayne Hennessey finished the season so well last year that when he arrived he found Wayne Hennessey was the man with his hands firmly on the goalkeeper's jersey and he had to be so patient waiting for his chance and that really impressed me.
"He accepted that, worked hard at his game and was always fantastic in training.
"When he got the chance in the League Cup he took it.
"Also the way he's integrated with the group which is not an easy thing to do when you don't speak the language that well and have a young family to look after.
"Very impressive in many respects."
Keep up to date with the latest news, features and exclusives from football.london via the free football.london app for iPhone and Android .
Available to download from the App Store and Google Play .
