Season Preview: Is De Boer the right man for Crystal Palace?
Previous season
Following Alan Pardew’s sacking in December, Sam Allardyce came in to steady the Crystal Palace ship before the Eagles ultimately finished a respectable 14th. The direct style of play under the former England manager was successful at Selhurst Park, but a change in tact is on the cards. Allardyce called time on his managerial career at the end of the season and after much deliberation, Frank de Boer was named his successor. The Dutchman has been out of work since his Inter sacking last November, while De Boer’s appointment has hinted at a change in style for the south London side.
De Boer starts life as a Premier League manager with the welcome of new boys Huddersfield at the weekend. The 47-year-old will be hoping to get off to a good start at the Terriers’ expense in order to prove Palace made the right choice in appointing him as boss.
Transfer summary
Palace’s biggest signing of summer came back in May as they successfully tied Wilfried Zaha down to a new five-year deal, despite significant interest from Tottenham. The Ivorian completed more dribbles (145) than any other Premier League player last season and his decision to extend his stay at Selhurst Park is a huge boost for the Eagles. Ruben Loftus-Cheek has joined from champions Chelsea on a season-long loan, while De Boer has linked up with defender Jairo Riedewald once more after his arrival from Ajax. Timothy Fosu-Mensah is also on the cusp of a move to the Eagles. The new Palace boss was happy to allow Joe Ledley, Mathieu Flamini and Fraizer Campbell to leave on loan, though a new goalkeeper is on the cards after Steve Mandanda returned to France with Marseille landing the 32-year-old. To date, Palace have been disappointed in their pursuit of Jasper Cillessen and Adrian in a bid to improve at the back.
One to watch - Jairo Riedewald
There is logic behind De Boer’s decision to sign Jairo Riedewald, with the former handing the latter his senior debut in 2013 at Ajax. The 20-year-old defender had a better pass success rate (92.4%) than any other player to make 10 or more Eredivisie appearances last season and he is a more cultured centre-back than the likes of Scott Dann, Damien Delaney and James Tomkins, with the youngster’s arrival suggesting a change in style for Palace. Riedewald’s capture covers the loss of Mamadou Sakho, who Palace had hoped to sign permanently after a successful loan stint, and while he still has some time to go before he realises his potential, the former’s arrival is the biggest indication of the De Boer revolution at Selhurst Park.
Predicted finish - 14th
It’ll take some time for the players to adjust to De Boer’s demands, particularly after the direct approach under Allardyce last season - from one extreme to the other, in this instance. The Dutchman has the means to guide Palace to safety again and another 14th-placed finish shouldn’t be ruled out.
