Adam Sells’ Crystal Palace column – Premier League mission accomplished….but what comes next in transfer window and boss situation?

Though there is a two-month hiatus on the pitch, the relentless world of football never ceases and all attention turns to off-field matters. The daily search for news is a mix of pain and joy, dependent on the headline.

The Palace fanbase will be using Google more than most over the next 60 days or so.

After Roy Hodgson and his trusted partner Ray Lewington returned to Selhurst Park at the end of March, they made sure that what threatened to be an agonising end to the season was instead a thoroughly enjoyable, relaxed experience.

The seasoned duo, with the help of Paddy McCarthy and Dean Kiely, transformed a team lacking in confidence almost overnight. A side that struggled to score goals and had won just once in 17 games found European form, playing some scintillating football along the way.

The cynics that had shown a huge amount of disrespect to the Eagles’ returning former manager, suggesting that he only played a defensive brand of football, were chomping on slices of humble pie during the half-time break of the first game with Leicester at Selhurst – such was the impact.

Palace were fantastic and those that disparagingly spoke of ‘Royball’ and backward steps prior to kick off on April 1 were the real fools.

But what next for Palace? There are so many questions to answer.

Who will be the new manager? Will Roy stay on? What about the club’s greatest ever player – Wilfried Zaha – who is out of contract? Will he stay or will he go? Funds for squad strengthening? What do Palace need to kick on? Will key players be sold?

These are all hot topics for fans on messageboards and social media right now. Such foundations to build on, but so much to unravel.

THE MANAGER

There are certainly several candidates that may fit the bill – and then there is Roy Hodgson.

Some of those are in work, others waiting in the wings, the names of Brendan Rodgers, Graham Potter and Steve Cooper all have Premier League experience.

Ange Postecoglou, who left Celtic to join Tottenham Hotspur earlier this week, was understood to have been considered.

Abroad are the likes of Paulo Fonseca and Will Still currently employed in France’s Ligue 1, plus former Borussia Monchengladbach coach Adi Hutter.

All will have their merits and both Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman will again have to make a tough call.

Rodgers is definitely a proven coach of high calibre, but he was unable to turn Leicester’s season around after they were hamstrung by FFP (financial fair play), with little being able to be done in the transfer market. Given Palace’s moderate spending during their Premier League years, he may prefer to keep his powder dry or return to the hotseat at Celtic Park.

Cooper has been backed to the hilt by Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and it seems that he will be able to build again following survival. Would he want to come?

Potter would look the best fit based on his similarity to Roy in respect of his coaching background, but would the Brighton connection concern him, the club and sections of the fanbase?

The foreign candidates may be capable, but after the Frank de Boer experience, you could understand the board being slightly concerned with the idea of employing somebody who isn’t familiar with the Premier League.

‘If in doubt do nowt’ is a mantra I tend to follow. Perhaps sticking with Roy and Ray – should they be able to be persuaded to stay on – is the best possible scenario right now.

People talk of long-term strategy and point to their respective ages of 75 and 66 as some kind of a negative.

With age comes experience and wisdom. These two have been around the block a few times and are clearly able to affect a dressing room of young men. Given the limited time they’ve been back on the training pitch at Beckenham the upturn in form in the likes of Eberechi Eze, Jeffrey Schlupp and Tyrick Mitchell must be more about the way they are made to feel as much as anything else.

I certainly know from my numerous conversations with players and staff around the club the manager instilled a calmness and belief. When players are relaxed and believe – they perform. That’s the crux of it. Roy is clearly able to find that perfect balance between freedom and respect. If it is not to be him, that must be the standout feature of his successor.

The idea that this club or any, should employ ‘a long-term boss’ is just nonsense. Strategy is for the hierarchy at the club. This is about infrastructure, recruitment and the academy.

As a football manager you are always six defeats away from the sack, no matter who or where you are and there is no such thing as a long-term appointment.

As we have seen, de Boer was meant to be the man to take Palace forward six years ago and that lasted four league games.

Give Roy a good group of players, then he can and will deliver. It was particularly encouraging to hear him saying that he thought that Palace could kick on and earn a top-half finish with the talent within the group.

WILF ZAHA – WILL HE STAY OR WILL HE GO

That’s the question on the lips of everybody of a Crystal Palace persuasion.

Media reports seem to second guess on almost a daily basis, as journalists with sources close to the player claim he is set to leave or set to sign what is either way, an incredibly lucrative contract.

One thing is for sure – nobody has done more than Steve Parish in keeping this mercurial talent at the club during his best years and who would back against him doing it again?

Palace have made Wilfried an incredible offer to stay, but none of us are privy to what else is out there for Selhurst Park’s favourite son. This week there has been further talk of clubs in the Middle East, though for all the riches, would he really be ready to ply his trade at a much lower standard in front of small crowds at the age of 30?

A high-income deal to remain in SE25, playing in the best league in the world, where he adored by all, would seem the better option. Come on Wilf, you know it makes sense!

Time waits for no man, as the saying goes. Wilfried has excited Palace fans in a way that no other player has ever managed, whether as a fresh-faced dribbler in the Championship or a proven player of the highest calibre in the Premier League.

Three muscle injuries in the past four months show that even the incredibly durable forward cannot defy nature forever.

Whether the Palace faithful will be treated to further years of this extraordinary talent or move into an exciting new era without their talisman, nobody can begrudge Dazet Wilfried Amal Zaha whatever choice he makes.

THE SQUAD

There is no doubt that there is an exciting group of players put together by Dougie Freedman and his team over the past couple of years.

It could be argued that the likes of Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Cheick Doucoure, Michael Olise, Eze and Zaha would be at home playing in the Champions League.

That’s seven players that ordinarily you would have to spend in excess of at least £50million to improve upon in today’s market. That’s not easy when you are any club and Palace, with a stand to build costing £100m, have limitations.

Fans always want to see money spent, but it must come from somewhere. This summer there are number of very attractive options that are out of contract that may bolster the squad. Depth will be key if Palace are to push on and if they don’t sell key players, then adding some of the free options should still see the squad improved.

GOALKEEPER

The goalkeeping roster is strong and experienced. With two top keepers in Vicente Guaita and Sam Johnstone vying for the number one spot, plus Remi Matthews returning from a successful loan in Scotland, there should be no need to spend. It is hoped that the talented Joe Whitworth may be able to find further experience on loan.

DEFENDERS

With new contracts offered to Joel Ward, Nathaniel Clyne and James Tomkins, it seems unlikely much will change.

Whether the cursed Nathan Ferguson came play a part remains to be seen. It would be a real boost to have the former West Brom man fit and available.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is entering the final year of his contract at Manchester United and the club have been close to bringing him back to South London on a couple of occasions. He is not thought to be part of Erik ten Hag’s long-term plans, so it may be a case of never say never.

Palace have an outstanding prospect within the academy in the shape of Caleb Kporha, who may well force his way through.

The signing of Chris Richards has proved very astute and it seems Jairo Riedewald will provide left-back cover, though a more orthodox option should be sought to provide genuine competition.

MIDFIELD

With the likes of James McArthur, Luka Milivojevic and the on-loan Albert Sambi Lokonga departing the Eagles will look to strengthen.

A deal for Bournemouth’s Jefferson Lerma was confirmed on Friday. Now that Doucoure, Schlupp, Eze, Nairou Ahamada and Will Hughes are joined by the Colombian then perhaps an additional attacking midfielder may be required to provide a further option for the irrepressible Eze.

Adam Wharton of Blackburn Rovers is admired, but whether this is possible within budget remains to be seen, but this has been very much Freedman’s blueprint.

Although this may go against the grain, and away from the club’s recent policy, the likes of Jesse Lingard and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may fit the bill for a couple of seasons to bolster the department.

ATTACK

Palace are both light in numbers and quality at the top end of the pitch.

It could be argued that if Harry Kane was a Palace player, then Champions League football would be within reach. Like most teams outside the top six, a top goalscorer is the biggest element missing.

Selling Jean-Philippe Mateta may help fund a replacement like Coventry City’s Viktor Gyokeres. The former Brighton man is now 25 and after two good years in the Championship, he may well fit the bill. He was used in a wider role in his time at the Amex Stadium and could yet come good in the top-flight.

Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Edouard provide decent options and their versatility is valuable amongst seven or eight forwards within the squad.
If Zaha commits, he and Michael Olise will take some stopping.

Talented pair Malcolm Ebiowei and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi would benefit from further Championship experience, meaning wide options would need to be added. There may be one or two good loan options at the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, but on the list of free agents the names of

Lille’s Jeremy Bamba and Wolves Adama Traore stand out. Though not always consistent, Traore’s speed, power and chaos factor could really be a useful ingredient in the same way that Yannick Bolasie did. He has always seemed very much a ‘Crystal Palace’ player.

An interesting summer is ahead. Given his exceptional track record, fans should have confidence in Parish to make the big calls.

Let’s hope he is spot on again and further progress is made.

Time to fly high Eagles…

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