In the ever-evolving landscape of Premier League full-backs, Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell remains one of the most quietly consistent performers in the division. While the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell and Kieran Trippier often dominate headlines and discussion, Mitchell continues to carry out his duties with understated excellence. His rise, resilience, and reliability were once again highlighted on The 2 Robbies Podcast on NBC Sports, where both Robbie Mustoe and Robbie Earle argued that the Palace academy graduate deserves far more recognition than he currently receives.
What sets Mitchell apart is not flashy attacking numbers or dramatic moments but the purity of his defensive craft. Week after week, he matches up against some of the Premier League’s most explosive wingers and rarely gets overwhelmed. His positional discipline, one-v-one defensive ability, and calmness under pressure have made him one of the most trusted left-backs in the league. Palace managers—whether it was Roy Hodgson, Patrick Vieira, or Oliver Glasner—have all leaned heavily on him, often tasking him with shutting down the opposition’s most dangerous wide player.
Mitchell’s development since breaking into the senior squad in 2020 has been remarkable. What began as cautious appearances behind veteran options quickly transformed into a starting role he has never relinquished. While still only in his early twenties, he already plays with the maturity of someone who has logged hundreds of Premier League minutes. His anticipation, timing in tackles, and composure in recovery situations are not just impressive—they are elite.
It is this consistency that prompted The 2 Robbies to emphasise how underappreciated he is on the national stage. Despite being capped for England and occasionally discussed as a future regular, Mitchell often falls behind bigger-club defenders in public debate. But for a national team that has struggled to find a stable, natural left-back since the decline of Ashley Cole, Mitchell’s profile should be viewed as an asset. He is defensively sound, rarely makes costly errors, and carries himself with humility—a trait Mustoe and Earle praised as much as his footballing qualities.
Offensively, Mitchell has grown as well. Though not yet the explosive attacking full-back some fans crave, he offers steady support down the flank, contributes in build-up phases, and delivers more progressive passes than he often gets credit for. Under Glasner, whose system encourages wing-backs and full-backs to push higher, Mitchell’s contribution in the final third has become increasingly noticeable. His overlapping runs, intelligent underlapping movements, and improved crossing have added balance to Palace’s attack.
But beyond the technical and tactical aspects, Mitchell’s story is one of perseverance. Growing up in Brent with limited resources, he overcame obstacles that might have derailed less determined youngsters. His humility, work ethic, and professionalism have made him a favourite in the dressing room and a role model for Palace’s academy teenagers who see in him the pathway they hope to follow.
As Palace continue to evolve under Glasner and build a young, dynamic squad around the likes of Eberechi Eze, Marc Guéhi, and Michael Olise, Mitchell remains one of the pillars of their identity. If the club pushes further up the table, his profile will inevitably rise—but the recognition should start now. As The 2 Robbies made clear, Tyrick Mitchell is not just dependable; he is one of the Premier League’s most underrated full-backs, deserving of attention, respect, and a broader spotlight.
Be the first to comment