It barely mattered that he was still a rookie in the right-back position, having spent much of his time in the Eagles’ Academy operating further up the flank or even as a forward.
Palace coach Kevin Keen suggested him as an option in defence when they had a training game and he marked ex-Reds winger Wilfried Zaha so well, the experiment continued.
Even if he never saw himself as a defender back then, Wan-Bissaka displayed great application and soon looked a natural in the role. Described as “dogged and determined” by Roy Hodgson, and a “cool customer” by Under-23s coach Richard Shaw, the youngster never looked back after making his debut against Tottenham Hotspur in February 2018.