Crystal Palace- Finished 14th in the 2020/2021 Season on 44 points.
Crystal Palace finished last campaign in rejoicing fashion, bidding farewell to the ever-present Roy Hodgson, who leaves the club after safely voyaging them through the Premier League for the last four years. His replacement, the 'invincible' Patrick Viera, arrives at the club looking to impose his own brand of football on a rather ageing Palace side, who under Hodgson followed a very disciplined and protective style of play. Viera will look to get the best out of his two standout men Wilfred Zaha and Eberechi Eze whilst accommodating for the usual Palace rearguard. Viera's last managerial spell started well with Nice, as they achieved 7th place in Ligue 1 in 2019 and then 5th in 2020, but their performances slipped away and Viera was dismissed following a group stage exit from the Europa League and with the club slummed in 11th in the league. There is no doubting Viera's footballing brain, but managing a club is a trial and error process for any new coach, and in the case of Viera, his career will only improve, with Palace offering a great project from which he can work with. Life under such a prodigious sporting individual will be of huge encouragement to the Palace fans, who will also be looking to re-ignite Selhurst Park when they welcome new boys Brentford in their first home game of the season, with a tough away fixture against Chelsea first on the agenda. One concern for Palace is the number of experienced players who have left the club. Gary Cahill, Mamadou Sakho, Andros Townsend, Patrick Van Aanholt, James McCarthy and Scott Dann have all departed, with Viera's plans residing around the many youth prospects within the club, such as Tyrick Mitchell, Jairo Riedewald, Jean-Philippe Mateta and new arrival Marc Guehi from Chelsea, who is expected to walk straight into the starting XI. Stalwart Nathanial Clyne has also been picked up just to offer some healthy competition to the ever-reliable Joel Ward. They have also brought in Joachim Andersen from Lyon, who spent last season on loan at relegated Fulham. Steady business from Palace, but the major developments will reside with the philosophy Viera will look to impose on the team and if he can excel them beyond their usually average league standing.
MAJOR TRANSFERS- (subject to change).
IN- Marc Guehi- (Chelsea, £18 million).
Nathanial Clyne- (Free agent).
Joachim Andersen (Lyon, undisclosed fee).
OUT- Wayne Hennessey- (Burnley, free transfer).
Andros Townsend- (Everton, free transfer).
Mamadou Sakho- (Montpellier, free transfer).
Gary Cahill- (released).
Patrick van Aanholt- (released).
James McCarthy- (Celtic, free transfer).
Scott Dann- (released).
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