Cautious optimism seems to be the feeling in South London right now as Palace hope to build on a very positive campaign last time out
It's never easy to know exactly what a fanbase is thinking, but from an outsider's perspective, last season seemed to have all the hallmarks of success for Crystal Palace. Bringing in Patrick Vieira might have had some fans fearing the worst, given the club's experience with another certain forward thinking, former big name player who was relatively new to coaching. The Frenchman soon put those needling concerns to bed and went on to deliver a stellar performance in his first season, massively improving the entertainment value at Selhurst Park and achieving a very respectable 12th place finish.
Last summer saw the club do possibly the shrewdest transfer business in the whole league, bringing in some outstanding young talent, who seemingly all hit the ground running. Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher contributed massively, and will be missed this season, but there was plenty more to be pleased about. Michael Olise, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Odsonne Edouard and Joachim Andersen all came in under the age of 25 and highly rated, and all, to differing degrees, performed well during their first season in South London. Vieira harnessed the young, exciting talent at his disposal and got consistently good performances out of them, pleasing the fanatical Selhurst Park faithful and achieving some outstanding results along the way.
Now the question is, can Palace build on that and keep making progress? The early signs are positive. The club seem to be doing smart business again with the acquisitions of Cheick Doucoure from Lens and Malcolm Ebiowei from Derby, both 22 and well-liked, as well as England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from West Brom. Bayern Munich star and United States international Chris Richards also seems to be extremely close to joining. The Eagles are likely to make a few more signings before the window closes, but fans can already be excited about the new additions.
Palace boss Vieira admitted that a pre-season without half of his squad is less than ideal, with a large number of players absent from the club's tour of Australia due to fitness concerns or an inability to "meet entry requirements". Given the situation the coach finds himself in, the results that Palace have picked up in friendlies in recent weeks, good or bad, should be taken with a pinch of salt. Nonetheless, on paper this is shaping up to be another satisfactory campaign for Palace fans.
We caught up with Ryan from CPFC HQ and Chris Windsor from Five Year Plange to get their perspectives on this Palace side as we head into another unpredictable Premier League season. Here's what they had to say:
Q. What did you make of Patrick Vieira's first season in charge at Selhurst Park? Did he meet expectations?
Ryan: Vieira's first season was an overwhelming success. Any Palace fan that said they weren't nervous at the time of his appointment would be lying. His work at NYCFC and Nice was decent but nothing outstanding so I had no idea what to expect - it's not as though our previous high profile, former legend, manager was a success. We soon had a really clear and effective style of play and we were difficult to beat. Our home record was exceptional and whenever we did lose, it was rarely by more than a goal. It wasn't all rosey, however. We showed a weakness from set pieces and in the latter stages of games, but even then, we did manage to iron them out towards the end of the season.
Q. Who would you say were the team's star players last season?
Chris: Wilf Zaha once again further strengthened his case as one of Palace's greatest players with last season's performance, ending up as our top goal scorer with some sublime finishes and a more clinical nature to his game. Conor Gallagher came in and shone for large portions of the season, with goals, energy and passion and that will be difficult to replicate going into the next season. Finally Marc Guehi came in and really stood out in the backline, consistently calm and composed on the ball as well as defensively sound which rightly earned him an England call up.
Q. Palace made several key signings last summer ahead of the 2021/22 campaign. What do you think of their performances? Who stood out as being a resounding success?
Ryan: Our 21/22 was genuinely incredible. I don't think I have seen a club sign so many players without having a single dud. Our most quiet new arrival was Edouard, who still had a fairly decent start to life in England, scoring six and assisting three. Outsiders will say Gallagher was the stand-out arrival but I'd say it was Marc Guehi. He is the complete defender; two footed, strong, quick, great on the ball and a leader. He became our second-youngest captain last season and obviously went on to play for England. Michael Olise's potential is frightening and he could be the star of this season.
Q. The club have been active again this summer, bringing in the highly rated Chris Richards and Cheick Doucoure, among others. What are your thoughts on the work done in the transfer market so far?
Chris: I have been impressed over the last two summer windows in the direction the club has taken, with young exciting talent making its way to Selhurst. Olise, Guehi and Andersen have really improved the style and quality last season, and Doucoure will hopefully add some real quality in midfield, especially with Gallagher returning to Chelsea. Chris Richards is almost complete, and will improve defensive options as well as flexibility, with some believing we could utilise him in a back 3 if necessary. Young Malcom Ebiowei has arrived from Derby with real potential and has shown glimpses of his talent in pre-season and many fans will be excited to see what he can do if given the chance.
Q. Do you see more signings coming in before the end of the window? Do you think the team need them? If so, which areas of the pitch need reinforcements?
Ryan: In terms of new recruits, I'd guess we will make up to three new signings after Richards is confirmed. A forward and a defender for squad depth but an additional midfielder is the most pressing need. Losing Gallagher is a big blow and although Eze will likely come in to replace him - we still need someone to be able to replicate Gallagher's energy at times, especially given that clubs can now use up to five subs.
Q. Are there any youngsters in the Palace academy that you feel could break into the first team this season? If so, who?
Chris : Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Tayo Adaramola both started to appear, albeit briefly, at the back end of last year and have featured as well in pre-season this year. Unfortunately for both of them, they have well established players ahead of them in the pecking order and would more than likely benefit from a loan move to the Championship/League One, rather than the occasional 10 minutes every month here or there. Half the squad is currently in Australia with some first team players remaining back in the UK, so Vieira has had a good look at youth against the likes of Liverpool and Man United, but his team selections have been more out of a lack of personnel rather than electing to prioritise the youth. Killian Phillips is one of these, who although he has not come through our academy, has been given the chance to start in midfield the last two games and has got some fans excited.
Q. What are your realistic expectations for this campaign? What woulld represent a satisfactory season for the fans?
Ryan: I think we could realistically target that gap between 7th and 10th. Our xG last season was massively under the reality so there is evidence that we can go to greater strengths than last season's decent first season. We made mistakes along the way but it is a young squad and they're only going to improve.
Q. Finally, with many fans less than pleased with the ownership at their clubs, how do you feel about the management and direction of your club right now? Is the club in the best hands?
Chris: The club and its fans can empathise with some of the clubs that have undergone recent struggles, for most fans remember our administration of 2010, which brought about new ownership. Whilst the majority of the ownership has gone, Steve Parish has remained as chairman, albeit now with American backers about whom fans rightly remain skeptical, given their interest in purchasing Chelsea and arguably their lack of interaction with the fans. However, with both Parish and Director of Football Dougie Freedman involved, there is always Palace's best interests at the forefront at that level, and with the appointment of Patrick Vieira last season, the club feels reinvigorated. New quality signings, a new style of football and a new found belief given last year's cup run have the large majority of fans feeling like the best is yet to come for the club and arguably our most exciting years are ahead. Saying that, it is Palace and we will now be down by Christmas.
Palace finish off their pre-season tour of Australia on Friday with a game against fellow Premier League side Leeds United, before returning to London to face QPR and Montpellier in their final two friendlies. Then the wait will be over as Palace welcome Arsenal to Selhurst Park for the Premier League curtain raiser on 5th August.
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