Football Season Guide

After steering the Eagles to safety with a decisive push in the spring, Sam Allardyce surprisingly retired and Palace were left without a choice but to look for a replacement. They chose Frank de Boer, the former Dutch captain who had a very disappointing spell as the manager of Inter last season, and he will have to improve his team’s action at both ends of the pitch. De Boer seems to be favouring the widely popular 3-4-3 formation as his preferred choice but in some friendlies he also used 4-3-3 and it seems that things will differ for Palace depending on who their opponents will be. The Dutchman added his countryman Jairo Riedewald to the squad in search of improved stability at the back, plus he seems to favour Jeff Schlupp on the left flank in front of Patrick Van Aanholt and this is likely to be another change compared to last season. Crystal Palace’s forward actions are likely to be heavily focused on what Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha can do. The main duo up front are capable of delivering enough goals but the Eagles need to be strong hosts and this could be possible only if they defend better. Luka Milivojevic arrived in January to quickly become a key figure and he will be massively important again. De Boer uses him in midfield when he plays with three at the back, but he also likes the Serbian as a right-back in a 4-3-3 formation. Ruben Loftus-Cheek comes in for a loan spell with the promise to get lots of playing time and together with Milivojevic and the newly signed Dutch defender, he is the main hope of improving Palace’s defensive resilience. Jason Puncheon seems to have a guaranteed starting spot under De Boer too, while it is yet to be seen how involved veteran Yohan Cabaye will be. Palace don’t have adequate cover if something happens to Benteke or Zaha and for them to survive it will be imperative their main attacking weapons remain fit and healthy.