🦁 PL Previews: Patrick Vieira and Crystal Palace aim for the next level | OneFootball

After exceeding all expectations in an impressive debut campaign at Crystal Palace last year, the pressure is on Patrick Vieira to avoid a sophomore slump.

They have lost key man Conor Gallagher but bought well in the market. Can they recreate the magic of 2021/22?

Click here to see all of our season previews so far.

Transfers 🔁

In: Cheick Doucouré (Lens, £18m), Malcolm Ebiowei (Derby, compensation fee), Sam Johnstone (West Brom, free)

Out: Martin Kelly (released)

Transfer balance: -£18m

Key fixtures 📆

🔑 Key player: Wilfried Zaha

Conor Gallagher arguably usurped the superstar of south London last season but he has departed and once more leaves Wilfried Zaha as the main man at Palace.

Although Marc Guéhi is also a vital presence, the winger remains the one player who his side simply cannot do without and you dread to think where they would be without his contributions.

Only two Premier League players in history have won more penalties than the 29-year-old and no player was fouled as often in the league last season.

A return of 55 goals and 22 assists across the past six campaigns says it all.

What has changed since last season? 🤔

Not a lot. There is no change of coach and there have been no significant departures aside from Gallagher but that was one the Eagles were, of course, anticipating after his outstanding season on loan from Chelsea.

Even the planned redevelopment of Selhurst Park seems to have stalled but the signing of Cheick Doucouré from Lens looks to be a very exciting one and could prove one of the bargains of the summer.

Malcolm Ebiowei also appears set to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise by making the step up from the Championship and shining, though patience should be exercised with his development.

What may be worrying though is that just eight senior first team players travelled to Singapore and Australia for pre-season fixtures and could be something that adversely impacts Palace in the opening weeks of the campaign.

Predicted XI 🔮

(4-3-3) – Johnstone; Clyne, Andersen, Guéhi, Mitchell; Hughes, Doucouré, Eze; Ayew, Mateta, Zaha

Where will they finish? 🏆

Premier League: 13th FA Cup: Fifth round EFL Cup: Quarter-finals

Click here to see all of our season previews so far.