Crystal Palace enter the 2024-25 Premier League campaign buoyed with optimism, still basking in the glorious honeymoon period under new boss Oliver Glasner.
However, considerable challenges await as the Austrian boss endeavours to convert last season's glorious transformation into a permanent fixture at Selhurst Park.
What has changed in 14 weeks?
Come Sunday (August 18) afternoon, 99 days would have passed since Crystal Palace kicked a football in the Premier League. Since then, the club’s internationals have enjoyed a successful summer, with the Eagles having representatives in the Euros, Copa America and Olympic final - albeit there was no silverware with England, Colombia and France all falling to defeat in their respective finals.
Faces have come and gone at Selhurst Park with star man Michael Olise departing for Bayern Munich, while squad players James Tomkins and Jairo Riedewald were released by the club. More outgoings could be on the cards with 18 days remaining of the transfer window, but for the most part, Crystal Palace’s core remains.
Transfer business
Crystal Palace have been convincing in the transfer window, acquiring Daichi Kamada, Chadi Riad and Ismaila Sarr for a combined fee of £26.5 million. Obtaining Kamada highlights Palace’s sharp business, providing Glasner with a player who has already succeeded in his system - winning the Europa League at Frankfurt.
Sarr bestows increased attacking depth for the Eagles, while Riad builds upon Palace’s defensive resources following Tomkins’ departure.
Judging Palace’s window as a whole is difficult as uncertainty remains over the futures of Sam Johnstone, Marc Guehi, Jordan Ayew and Jeffrey Schlupp. The club still have work to do in the window, with the squad seeming a player short in attack and at wing-back.
Dougie Freedman and his recruitment department will also have to be reactive to any departures as exits for Johnstone and Guehi seem likely. Maxence Lacroix and Trevor Chalobah are both touted as potential replacements for Guehi, while Plymouth goalkeeper Michael Cooper is also being monitored.
Tactical outlook
Glasner’s 3-4-2-1 had the Selhurst Park faithful salivating at the end of last season. He turned a distinctly average Palace side into a unit that played silky football.
Rather than playing with traditional wingers, Glasner utilises narrow attacking midfielders behind the physically imposing number ten. For Eberechi Eze, it is a role that lends itself to his profile much more than the left-wing role he has often played. On the other flank, the inverted ten perfectly suits Kamada, who enjoys finding space in behind and getting involved with incisive link-up play.
The width that is lost from the absence of wingers is compensated for by the wing-backs occupying high positions - a role that perfectly suits Daniel Munoz’s attacking tendencies.
For Palace, the big question is whether they will be able to keep up the high-intensity football seen in the 3-4-2-1 system at the end of last season. Crucially, with Palace's increased depth, Glasner has the beauty of being able to tinker with his side, and the 11 will nevertheless look relatively strong.
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One to Watch - Adam Wharton
Majestic in midfield, Adam Wharton will embark on his first full season in the Premier League after joining Crystal Palace in January. Last season, a whirlwind 16 games saw Wharton ascend from a teenager in the Championship to a household name in England’s top flight.
The Blackburn-born midfielder is the full package in the middle of the park, he possesses an incredible on-the-ball ability with a ridiculous passing range, and his vision is second to none, managing to spot penetrative passes and execute them with great ease.
An often understated part of his game is his defensive qualities, the 20-year-old is excellent at breaking up play and is not afraid of a tackle - making him sure to be one of the first names on Glasner’s team sheet.
Reaching the England senior squad after less than six months in the Premier League emphasises his excessive quality, and a full season in the top flight should see the homegrown midfielder soar to new heights.
Season targets
Making no secret of their desire to kick on, Crystal Palace are targeting consecutive top-half finishes for the first time in their Premier League history.
As an objective, it is feasible, albeit the majority of their competitors have strengthened their squads this summer, and therefore will be no easy feat.
The club have European desires, but as it stands, they seem a couple of players short, and the final weeks of the transfer window will be pivotal to understanding how serious Palace are.
Ultimately, having a solid run in both cups and finishing in the top ten will be considered a success for the south London club, who are embarking on their twelfth consecutive Premier League season.
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