Genk’s Joseph Paintsil makes prediction for former team-mate Daniel Munoz at Crystal Palace

BY ALESSANDRO SCHIAVONE

Genk attacker Joseph Paintsil believes that his former team-mate Daniel Munoz will make that right-back position his own in the long term at Crystal Palace.

The Colombian is up against Palace legend Joel Ward, who has been at the club since 2012 and amassed 351 appearances for the Selhurst Park outfit. 

Having joined Palace in 2012, 34-year-old Ward is also the longest-serving Premier League player right now after David de Gea and Hugo Lloris left Manchester United and Hugo Lloris respectively. 

But that won’t faze him, as Ghanaian Paintsil told the South London Press: “Joel Ward can be a legend – having been at the club for so long – but that doesn’t mean he’ll play every game.  

“He’s also a little bit older, so you cannot compare a mature, old player to a young talented one like Daniel. 

“Nowadays it’s about youth, talent and the endurance you can give to the team. And Muñoz will be doing everything possible to be first-choice, which he’ll be.”

The duo played 83 times together before Munoz left for South London this January.

“I never saw him having weaknesses,” he added.

“His main strength is that he’s unpredictable. He’s fast, a dribbler and has a lot of strength. It’s in his genes, you know? Muñoz is an offensive right-back who is really great at scoring goals. We do talk and he’s really happy [at Palace]. 

“We lost an important player and it really hurts. But there was no jealousy, just lots of emotions.  

“Seeing a great player leaving the club made us really sad.  

“But at the same time, we’re happy for him because that was his dream.  

“Every footballer wants to play in the best leagues like England.  

“We’re sad but at the same time happy for him and we all wish him all the best.”