With two games still to play of an uncharacteristically long Premier League season, the rumour mill has already linked players with moves to and from the club.

Alan Pardew and Steve Parish are likely to have already chiselled a well thought-out shortlist of players to add to the current crop with a striker and a centre back sure to be top of the list.

However, the one player who should top the list of summer priorities is already one of our own. Tony Pulis may have left a bitter taste in the mouths of many after cowardly quitting just days before the start of the Premier League season, but there are still many things we can be thankful for. For instance, his January 2014 additions have proven to be more than impressive - and in particular the signing of a certain Scott Dann.

Dann joined Palace with a worrying reputation of having been relegated in his previous two Premier League seasons with two different clubs. However, he showed his brilliance from the off and helped us climb to an incredible 11th place to give Palace Premier League survival for the first time in the league’s history. Dann made no fuss about the departure of Pulis and continued his exceptional form throughout a difficult time for club under Neil Warnock.

Despite never managing to get close to the amount of clean sheets achieved last season, Dann has put in a number of sterling centre-half performances, displaying immense physical prowess and the technical ability of an accomplished creative midfielder. Such performances led to the Scouser deservedly scooping the top prize at the club’s annual awards evening last night, pipping both James McArthur and Jason Puncheon to the exceptionally ugly looking player of the year trophy. 

This not only gave me a great sense of pride for the 28-year-old centre-back, but instantly sounded alarm bells in my head. It’s been no secret that he has been closely observed by England’s Roy Hodgson, and it’s obvious his performances haven’t escaped the attentions of the managers of other Premier League clubs. Despite having two seasons remaining on his deal, it is imperative Pardew and Parish muster up a more than attractive contract offer for Dann, and it should be this that is put at the top of their summer priority list.

He has been an outstanding performer this season and if Pardew and the board are genuine when they say they want to take the club forward, it is important that we keep hold of our best player. With the future of Mile Jedinak up in the air, Dann could well be our potential captain.

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