Football Season Guide

Crystal Palace got off to a great start to the 2020/21 campaign, but a drop in form saw them struggle to compete for a top-half finish. Roy Hodgson’s side secured safety with four games to spare and despite their coach’s conservative approach to the game, they registered the third-worst defensive record in the Premier League. Hodgson departed the club this summer and Crystal Palace appointed Patrick Vieira in their bid to rebuild a team that had the highest average age of any other side last season. Almost a dozen players have been released, including a number of long-serving footballers, with the average age of departures being 29.2 for the time being. Vieira’s primary target is to build a coherent side, one which can compete for a top-half finish and produce attractive football. Their main strength is expected to be their midfield, as Crystal Palace signed midfielder Michael Olise, who was named the Championship’s young player of the season in 2020/21 after bagging seven goals and registering 12 assists at Reading. Meanwhile, their priority will be to retain the services of star players Wilfried Zaha, who has been linked with the several Premier League powerhouses. Despite having signed two centre-backs in Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen, as well as goalkeeper Remi Matthews, Palace need to add depth to their squad after numerous experienced players have departed this summer.