Premier League team guide: Crystal Palace in the spotlight

Crystal Palace had the returning Roy Hodgson to thank for steering them clear of a relegation dogfight during a turbulent 2022-23 campaign.

Though the veteran's appointment was questioned by many, five wins and three draws from a 10-game stint unsurprisingly prompted the Eagles hierarchy to offer up a one-year contract extension.

A frustrating summer of business has seen a stark lack of arrivals to date, while the talismanic Wilfried Zaha has finally cut ties with his boyhood club and set sail for Galatasaray. 

With other key players being linked elsewhere, another challenging season may lie ahead.

Last season: 11th

The final table may suggest last term was a comfortable one for Palace but that was far from the truth.

Though 19 points from the opening 14 matches had left Patrick Vieira's side looking comfortable heading into the World Cup break, things spectacularly unravelled in early 2023.

A 12-game winless run saw the Frenchman axed and Hodgson coaxed out of semi-retirement, taking over a side sat just three points above the bottom three. 

In the end, the ex-England boss achieved safety with a degree of comfort — wins over relegated trio Leicester, Leeds and Southampton in his first three games made the final weeks relatively stress-free.

New faces

Jefferson Lerma's arrival on a free transfer from Bournemouth will not set pulses racing but still looks like a shrewd bit of business.

The versatile Colombian can operate at full-back, on the wing or in central midfield and also carries a goal threat, having notched five times for the Cherries last term. 

There will surely be more signings following him through the door in the window's closing weeks, especially given star man Zaha's exit and persistent rumours surrounding Michael Olise's future.

Matheus Franca's arrival appears imminent — a highly-rated Brazilian winger who was being courted by Chelsea but now looks set for Selhurst Park instead.

One to watch: Naouirou Ahamada

Arriving from Stuttgart for a £10.5million fee in January, Naouirou Ahamada found his Palace minutes hugely limited once Vieira was relieved of his duties.

However, the 21-year-old will be confident of changing that this term, particularly after Hodgson confessed he only omitted Ahamada due to knowing other squad members better. 

Hodgson said in April: "The more I see in training, the more I like him. He looks like a very good signing. There is a lot to come from him."

Having impressed in the Bundesliga previously with his energetic box-to-box performances, Ahamada's chance could be coming.

The boss: Roy Hodgson

When Hodgson told reporters he would not be seeking another Premier League job after leaving Watford last May, few would have envisaged him being back in Palace's dugout 10 months later.

Tthe ex-England boss clearly finds a challenge hard to resist and though he has nothing left to prove in football, the 75-year-old is relishing one more year at his boyhood club.

Hodgson's football is uncomplicated. Preferring to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, he lays solid foundations and trusts his forward players to produce moments of magic.

Crucially, his masterful man-management skills will be vital in keeping a youthful but talented group on the right path through the season's peaks and troughs. 

Information correct as of August 3, 2023