A lot of Crystal Palace fans are full of praise for defender Martin Kelly after the club tweeted to wish him a happy birthday.
The defender turned 30 on Monday and has slowly turned into a fan favourite since his move from Liverpool in 2014 for £1.80 million, per Transfermarkt.
He started off as cover or playing at full-back, but since Roy Hodgson has been managing the side the defender, who has one international cap with England, has been utilised at centre-back as well as right-back.
When he has come into the side as a centre-back, normally because he is covering for players injured, the Englishman has looked solid. Indeed in six appearances at the heart of the defence this term he has helped the Eagles keep three clean sheets.
Overall in 19 league appearances this campaign, per Transfermarkt, Kelly has kept five clean sheets, whilst only being on the losing side five times, and making 1.2 tackles a game, via WhoScored.
Here is what fans had to say about the player:
https://twitter.com/CPFC/status/1254677289981353987?s=20
Top player 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
— Mahou Man (@PalaceBySea) April 27, 2020
cult hero, top bloke.
— rj (@cpfcriley) April 27, 2020
We’ve got Kelly, Martin Kelly just don’t think understand scored down lane out marked Harry Kane. Underrated defender never puts a foot wrong when he plays. Happy birthday 🎂
— Ben (@ben_russell84) April 27, 2020
I LOVE YOU MARTIN https://t.co/WvgmIKOTGZ
— Jack Hutchinson (@j_s_hutch) April 27, 2020
So underrated. Mr reliable. https://t.co/ie10VLA07S
— Luke Fuller🦅 (@lukefuller__) April 27, 2020
For me, Kells is a cult hero/club legend. Been with us almost as long as Dann, played across all defensive positions, endured that bad spell at LB and didn’t let it break him and is now a top quality centre back for us. Embodiment of Palace spirit. Happy Birthday @MartinKelly1990 https://t.co/PcNEtRr8LH
— Liam© (@liamb0117) April 27, 2020
Palace fans, is Kelly a cult hero in your eyes? Comment below!
