Guardian writers’ predicted position: 12th (NB: this is not necessarily Ed Aarons’ prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)
Last season’s position: 11th
Prospects
Not for the first time, there is a feeling of uncertainty in SE25 at the start of a new season as Crystal Palace begin their second decade in the Premier League. The departure of Wilfried Zaha means Roy Hodgson must find a new talisman to lead his team from a talented squad that showed their ability after the former England manager returned to replace Patrick Vieira in March by securing a creditable 11th place.
Yet with other Premier League clubs taking serious interest in several of their players over the summer, it may not be as simple for Hodgson this time.
Joachim Andersen and Marc Guéhi’s partnership at centre-back has provided Palace with a solid foundation over the past two seasons but losing one or both before the transfer window closes is a possibility. The same applies to midfielder Cheick Doucouré, who has been linked with Liverpool after an excellent debut season at Selhurst Park, while Chelsea and Manchester City covet rising star Michael Olise despite the France Under-21 forward being due to miss the start of the season due to injury, and Eberechi Eze has yet to commit to a new deal.
Hodgson will be desperate to begin the season with all five given that Palace’s chairman, Steve Parish, would demand hefty fees to persuade him to sell but, having already lost Zaha, they will need to act quickly if any do depart. The arrival of Jefferson Lerma on a free transfer from Bournemouth looks a smart move but the lack of a regular goalscorer in the squad could be crucial without the Ivory Coast forward’s contribution.
The manager
Following his triumphant return to save the day, the elder statesmen of the Premier League has set Palace a target of finishing in the top 10 this season after signing a one-year contract at his boyhood club. That would be some achievement for Roy Hodgson, who turns 76 a few days before Palace’s first game of the campaign at Sheffield United but retains relentless enthusiasm for his work. Paddy McCarthy has been promoted to assistant manager as Palace also attempt to look ahead to the future and the highly rated Irishman will certainly pick up a few useful tips from the Premier League’s oldest ever manager and his trusted lieutenant, Ray Lewington.
Leading the shirt sales
It is a question that only Vieira can answer. Just why was Eberechi Eze used so sparingly last season when Palace were struggling? Luckily for Palace, Hodgson has brought the best out of the attacking midfielder signed from QPR in 2020 and he was justifiably rewarded with a first senior England cap in June. Eze has yet to agree to an extension to his contract that expires in 2025 but should thrive on the extra responsibility on his shoulders now Zaha has flown the nest. The 25-year-old is also a really nice guy: he delivers hot meals to people in need for his church on any Sunday he’s free and launched his first grassroots sports event for children in south-east London in July.
Folk hero
Mr Reliable Joel Ward has been at Palace since 2012 and remains part of the furniture, while Andersen, Guehi, Eze and even Jordan Ayew each have their admirers for their own reasons. But the supercool Michael Olise shades it thanks to his deadpan interviews and muted celebrations – see his last-minute equaliser with a free-kick against Manchester United at Selhurst Park. “We’d say he’s a bit weird sometimes because when he scored goals, he sometimes wouldn’t celebrate,” recalled former Reading teammate Michael Morrison. Linked with Manchester City and Chelsea despite needing surgery after injuring a hamstring playing for France Under-21s at the European Championship, Olise is happier to let his feet do the talking.
One to watch
While there has been plenty of excitement over the impending arrival of 19-year-old Brazilian forward Matheus França from Flamengo, a homegrown player who could follow in Zaha’s footsteps is also setting pulses racing. Charlton’s manager, Dean Holden, certainly rates Jesurun Rak-Sakyi after the winger’s loan spell at the Valley last season. “It sounds ridiculous but he drives a really old car – he’s not interested in the flashings of being a professional footballer,” revealed Holden. The 20-year-old was named as Charlton’s player of the year after some dazzling displays and was also nominated for the League One award despite his tender years. It remains to be seen whether Rak-Sakyi – who has been described as possessing a mixture of Zaha and Olise’s skills – will be given the opportunity to cut his teeth at the highest level this season or be sent out on loan again having been linked with a move to Leicester in recent days. Palace supporters would like nothing better than to see him succeed.
