Crystal Palace are entering a new era, steady Manager Roy Hodgson has left, along with an old guard of players. Former Arsenal legend Patrick Viera has taken over at the helm and is ready to bring a new, young group in with the promise of a more attacking and stylish brand of football.
The Eagles have made a statement in the summer transfer window of 2021/22, shipping out and releasing a lot of stalwart players, like Gary Cahill and Scott Dann, who are on the wrong side of the ticking clock that is age.
They have brought in younger, more exciting players, compared to that of what came in under the Hodgson regime. The likes of Marc Guehi and Michael Olise, who both excelled in the Championship last season, have come through the door.
Why the change for Crystal Palace?
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The change of approach comes after a year of financial uncertainty and in Palace’s case, they have one of the lowest revenues in the Premier League.
In 2020, they lost £61.1 million and haven’t made a significant sale since Aaron Wan-Bissaka moved to Manchester United in 2019. In fact, the Eagles have only sold five players for over £10 million or more in the past decade.
Crystal Palace have been used to signing, older more experienced players. This comes from when Sam Allardyce was in charge and had to stop the club from being relegated.
This was continued as Hodgson steadied the club and created a batch of players who could safely keep them afloat, year on, year out. Palace finished last year with a wages-to-turnover ratio of 93%.
So, after shipping out the older, bigger earners, it has allowed the London side to change tack, and given them the freedom to spend a bit, to begin this new era. Bringing in Viera has allowed this transition to happen, as he focuses on utilising these younger players in his more attacking 4-3-3.
For this to truly happen, it will require smart recruitment, finding and identifying young players, who have high ceilings but are affordable – evident with the signings of Olise and Eberechi Eze from last year –not to forget, the hugely promising signing of Nathan Ferguson and the rise of Tyrick Mitchell.
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— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 19, 2021
Palace have saved of £500,000 on wages with this shift and opened the door for a new, youth-led playing side, that will hopefully excite in the long run.
The shift also allows their youth prowess to show through. Palace have a big catchment area and have produced several stellar youngsters, with the move, we will get to see more of these youngsters come through and shine for the Eagles.
Crystal Palace have made a big shift, and one that screams out optimism and a look to the future. Should they get off the ground, keep an eye out, because this club could have a bright and bold future.