Crystal Palace have grown into a remarkable position. A year ago, fans were disengaged after Roy Hodgson had been granted another season at the club. Twelve months later the sense of ambition and optimism around the club is astounding.
European football has always seemed a fever dream for the Crystal Palace faithful, but now more than ever it is an attainable target for the couth London club.
The man leading that revolution? Europa League winner Oliver Glasner. Palace’s head coach took the reins at Selhurst Park for the final 13 games of last season, following Hodgson’s disastrous second coming.
Glasner’s immediate objective was to ensure Crystal Palace remained in the Premier League, after taking over a side dangling just five points above the relegation zone. It was a test he passed with flying colours - guiding Palace to a tenth-placed finish, losing just three times in his ascendancy.
It was not just a change in form Glanser oversaw, but a complete shift in culture and mentality. Soon after joining the club, the boss embedded the belief that Crystal Palace are capable of winning every game, a philosophy that saw them boast an impressive record against teams above them in the table - winning seven of ten encounters.
His refinement of the squad has been exceptional. However, the club's big test is whether they can maintain the brilliant performances from the end of last season across a full Premier League campaign.
Pessimists would argue that it is unlikely, but the pre-season signals have been promising. The players have fallen back into the set-up well and the slick football has become more prominent as the season closes in. Glasner’s players look fitter than they did during the preparations for the last campaign and the signs are encouraging.
Costly departures will bring some concern after Michael Olise made a £50 million switch to Bayern Munich, with Marc Guehi also expected to leave the club. Losing such a talented duo in one transfer window is not ideal, but it’s important to remember the pricey outgoings were born from shrewd business.
Sporting director Dougie Freedman has prided himself on finding value in the market. His diligent transfer policy has seen the Eagles acquire Michael Olise, Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze, Cheick Doucoure and Adam Wharton for a mere £87 million combined outlay.
Should Guehi depart this summer, the Eagles stand to make over £30 million more than they paid out to obtain their fantastic five - from just two departures.
Putting it into perspective, unquestionably it is a blow for Palace to lose Olise, with Guehi’s departure potentially following, but importantly it presents a great opportunity to build a more comprehensive squad.
Naturally, replacing such talent is easier said than done and provides a significant challenge for Palace. It is borderline impossible for the club to replace individual star quality, but if they can acquire three attackers for the sale of one, ultimately the squad will be in a better position to try and kick up the table.
Ahead of the start of the season, Palace have already added Daichi Kamada, Chadi Riad and Ismaila Sarr for a combined fee of £26.5 million - increasing the club's options for a titchy cost.
Their three additions are applaudable. Signing from Barcelona, Riad reinforces Palace’s defence, and at 21 years old he has a promising future ahead.
Kamada is a leader, who knows what it is like to play under Glasner after winning the Europa League with him at Eintracht Frankfurt. The 28-year-old flaunts impressive qualities such as his excellent decision-making - a trait Glasner demands from all his players. Since joining the club, Kamada has already shown his class, he has looked terrific in the ten role during pre-season, with his deep runs and incision in the final third elevating Palace’s attack.
Adding Sarr to their ranks - after five years of trying - provides a different profile of attacker to what the club already have. His versatility means he can play across the front three, albeit he is most capable on the right. The explosive and progressive nature of his game provides Glasner with a great option in attack.
Crucially, he suits Glasner’s preference for a tall and pacey attacker. He gives Palace the beauty of options, is coming into his peak, and the insignificant transfer fee only adds to the intelligence of the business. The Senegalese attacker did not have his finest campaign at Marseille last season, but considering the way Glasner transformed Jean-Philippe Mateta from a striker who rarely found the back of the net to one averaging a goal per game, it is not too much of a worry.
Further to their business so far, Freedman and his recruitment team are enjoying a boosted purse to build a group tailored to Glasner’s style of play. The Eagles are expected to target a full-back, centre-back and further attackers in the final weeks of the transfer window.
In the profit and sustainability climate, it is borderline impossible to increase squad depth without significant sales. For Palace, investing in talent to sell them at their peak is a fantastic philosophy.
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Heading into Glasner’s first full season in charge of Crystal Palace, the club will have one of the deepest squads in their Premier League era - so long as they acquire their remaining targets.
In previous seasons, the likes of Jordan Ayew and Jeffery Schlupp have been viewed as necessities in SE25, and now they are almost surplus to requirements with Glasner possessing Eze, Sarr, Kamada and Matheus Franca, who will vie for the two supporting attacker roles.
With at least three more arrivals expected, Palace’s options are astonishing. Take their midfield, the return of Cheick Doucoure highlights their exceptional depth, with Adam Wharton, Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes and Doucoure expected to compete for two spots in the team.
Glasner is three players away from presiding over a squad with an abundance of options, and the excitement that comes with that is palpable. Considering the credibility of the gaffer and his ability to transform players - as seen with Mateta - Palace are certainly a dark horse to finish in the top eight, and if the Premier League land on the right side of the teetering coefficients, then a spot in Europe would not come as a shock.
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