No easy games any more, insists Crystal Palace’s Cabaye

Crystal Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye believes not even the Premier League’s biggest clubs can afford to rest on their laurels any more in domestic action.

Following his return to England from French giants PSG in the summer of 2015, Cabaye has by no means been guaranteed a starting spot in the Eagles’ midfield, starting just as many games from the bench this term.

And the 30-year-old French international puts that down to the fact that every squad in the league is bigger and better than ever before, with no side enjoying the dominance that PSG possess across the channel.

“Every team now has a fantastic squad,” says Cabaye. “They can buy big players from every league. Every team improved themselves, now it’s more difficult than last season to win games.

“We spent a lot of money, a few teams also spent a lot of money. The levels are closer. The big six teams are up there, but the gap has reduced a little bit.

“We’re not far away from them and their quality. In one single game, we can of course win.

“Before, the big teams could play not at 100 per cent, they could think they could go easier, more relaxed and still win.

“But you can’t do that now. If you do that, you’re dead. Now, the big teams are ready to rumble against the smaller teams – that’s the main difference for me.”