Since Roy Hodgson took charge, the atmosphere around Crystal Palace has completely changed.

The Eagles have gone from relegation candidates to being nine points clear of the Premier League's bottom three in a few weeks.

With a new manager arriving at Selhurst park for the new season, Palace will want to keep a strong core of players to build around. But what players are essential to keep for the new season?

Regardless of who the manager is, the four players below need to be at Selhurst Park for Palace to have a successful campaign next season.

 

Wilfred Zaha

 

The more obvious answer to the question ‘who is Crystal Palace’s best player?’ Wilfred Zaha has been the talisman at Selhurst Park for years now.

He has been The Eagles' top goalscorer for two of the past three seasons, and is one goal behind Eberechi Eze this term.

Zaha has consistently been among the league leaders in dribbles completed and fouls won, and is a regular threat when Palace play against one of the recognised ‘big six’, scoring in wins against Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal within the last two years.

Zaha has expressed a desire to leave Crystal Palace in the past and his contract is up at the end of the season, meaning he could leave for nothing.

However with a new manager coming in, Palace must look to do everything they can to convince him to stay. There aren’t many players that will be able to produce for Palace like Zaha can, so from the club's point of view a hefty outlay on a new contract would be worth the money.

 

Eberechi Eze

 

Despite falling out of favour with ex-manager Patrick Vieira, Eze has always been an exciting talent who has provided Palace fans with exciting moments across his career.

But his recent surge in production will be what excites Palace fans. He has three goals in his last three games and has been the creative spark that has helped his team to score nine goals in their last three games.

As a reference point, it took Palace 18 games to score nine goals prior to Hodgson’s appointment.

Eze has shown on countless occasions the quality that he possesses on the ball, and for Crystal Palace, a player of Eze’s quality is priceless.

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Michael Olise

 

Like Eze, Olise’s quality is displayed when he has the ball at his feet. He is a direct winger, with a great eye for a pass, as was shown when he recorded three assists against Leeds United on April 9.

The 21-year-old has two goals and eight assists in the league so far, which has attracted interest from top clubs around the Premier League.

Olise is a great young player with an abundance of potential. As Palace go into the new season (and the years to come) Olise will be a vital asset to have, assuming that he stays with the club.

 

Marc Guehi

 

After signing from Chelsea in 2021, Marc Guehi has been a staple of the Palace back line and is only improving.

He is part of the new age of centre backs who are more than comfortable on the ball, and his strength and athleticism allows him to play a high defensive line, as he has more than enough pace to track runners in behind.

He has attracted interest from top clubs across England, such as Tottenham and Manchester United.

But Palace will be hoping the young centre back stays in south London to continue his development and help to lead this young side to higher positions in the Premier League for years to come.