Crystal Palace enter the 2023-24 Premier League campaign looking for a fresh face to stand up and fill the shoes of Wilfried Zaha.
The Eagles have entrusted Roy Hodgson with continuing last year’s stunning revival but few reinforcements have arrived to aid the veteran boss in his quest.
Here, Standard Sport reporter Dom Smith previews the Eagles’ 2023-24 campaign...
What has changed in 11 weeks
Wilfried Zaha has left, so Palace will have a different look without their talisman of the past decade. Luka Milivojevic and James McArthur have also gone, but, after much deliberation, Roy Hodgson has stayed on as manager.
Transfer business
Their signings have been shrewd, but they just have not made enough of them yet. Jefferson Lerma on a free transfer looks smart business and there is real excitement around 19-year-old Brazilian Matheus Franca, who has joined from Flamengo for a deal worth up to £26m, but Hodgson has a small squad which needs further reinforcements.
Tactic to look for
If Palace can keep hold of Liverpool target Cheick Doucoure, it will be intriguing to see how he and Lerma are deployed. Both defensive midfielders are similar players. Are they too alike to form a double-pivot behind Eberechi Eze?
Success would be… A top-half finish. Zaha’s departure is sure to take its toll at some point and Palace must find a new inspiration. But fans fear late moves for more of their best players, with Michael Olise, Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi all coveted by rivals.
