Since the end of the 2020-21 season, a radical overhaul has re-shaped Crystal Palace's playing staff and a new man in charge is set to herald a fresh approach in the dugout too.
Following the departure of the ever meticulous Roy Hodgson in May, several older, higher-earners have followed the former England boss through the exit door and relative rookie Patrick Vieira has stepped into the Selhurst Park hot-seat. All of which has generated more questions than answers.
Here, Sports Mole previews Palace's 2021-22 campaign and considers whether the Eagles can improve upon their 14th-placed finish last term.
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FIXTURES
In one of those curious quirks provided by the 'fixture computer', Crystal Palace will start their league season without leaving the confines of the capital city until their fifth fixture, in mid-September.
Encounters with London rivals Chelsea - on the opening day - Brentford, West Ham and Tottenham all precede a trip to Anfield, which comes a week before the Eagles' first clash with bitter foes Brighton, on September 27.
Spurs, Norwich and West Ham are on the menu over the Christmas and New Year period for Patrick Vieira's team, before they take the short journey to the Amex for round two versus Graham Potter's Brighton.
Towards the season's climax, Palace will be away for four of their final six games - a potential factor in any possible relegation fight - and conclude the campaign with a visit to Villa Park on May 15.
> Click here to see all of Crystal Palace's 2021-22 fixtures
SUMMER SIGNINGS
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In
Jacob Montes (free, Georgetown Hoyas)
Michael Olise (£8.4m, Reading)
Marc Guehi (£21m, Chelsea)
Joachim Andersen (undisclosed, Lyon)
Conor Gallagher (loan, Chelsea)
Out
Joel Ward (released)
Patrick van Aanholt (free, Galatasaray)
Scott Dann (released)
Andros Townsend (free, Everton)
Mamadou Sakho (free, Montpellier)
Wayne Hennessey (free, Burnley)
Stephen Henderson (released)
Connor Wickham (released)
James McCarthy (free, Celtic)
Gary Cahill (released)
Sam Woods (released)
Sion Spence (loan, Bristol Rovers)
Jacob Montes (loan, Waasland-Beveren)
Crystal Palace total spent to date: £29.4m
Crystal Palace total received to date: £0m
Crystal Palace net transfer balance: -£29.4m
SQUAD
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Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Vicente Guaita, Remi Matthews
Defenders: Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Malachi Boateng, James Tomkins, Nathaniel Clyne, Tyrick Mitchell, Jaroslaw Jach, Martin Kelly, Nathan Ferguson, Jairo Riedewald, Reece Hannam
Midfielders: Conor Gallagher, Luka Milivojevic, Michael Olise, Cheikhou Kouyate, James McArthur, Eberechi Eze, Nya Kirby, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Forwards: Jordan Ayew, Wilfried Zaha, Jeffrey Schlupp, Christian Benteke, Scott Banks, John-Kymani Gordon, Brandon Pierrick
> Click here for full details of Crystal Palace's 2021-22 squad
STRONGEST XI
STAR PLAYER - Wilfried Zaha
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Though others belatedly stepped up to offer a little assistance last season, there is no doubt that Wilfried Zaha - who has a complex relationship with his boyhood club - remains the brightest star in their firmament.
As the Ivory Coast forward turns 29 in the autumn and has entered the final two years of his contract, it now seems inevitable that he will stay to see them out, given an apparent lack of potential suitors. Therefore, he can spearhead Patrick Vieira's youthful revolution; taking a role as one of the team's senior statesmen in the process.
His importance to a team sorely missing their fanatical home following was highlighted by a career-best 11 Premier League goals last season, while Palace had lost 15 of their previous 17 matches without their talisman before he returned from COVID-19 infection in December to bag a brilliant brace at West Brom.
Vieira has made it known, though, that the other side of his game must improve, and the 1998 World Cup-winner has asked Zaha to concentrate on his efforts without the ball. Certainly, that has not always been a strength for the Abidjan-born winger, but could hold the key to taking his game up another level.
MANAGER - Patrick Vieira
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Already making demands of his senior players, such as Zaha, it is certain that Patrick Vieira will set lofty standards for his new team, as befitting a man of numerous trophies and accolades during a glittering playing career.
However, his impact in the dugout - at both MLS outfit New York City and Ligue 1's Nice - has not lived up to such a high watermark, and Vieira perhaps has a point to prove after his sacking by the latter at the end of last year. The former Arsenal captain will surely relish a rebuilding job at Palace, though, as he follows in the footsteps of the vastly experienced Roy Hodgson.
Only appointed after Lucien Favre reneged on an agreement to sign up for the top job at Selhurst Park, Vieira has appointed Kristian Wilson, whom he first worked with at Manchester City's academy, as first-team coach and Welshman Osian Roberts as his assistant.
Roberts - previously in charge of Wales youth teams and then assistant to former Eagles boss Chris Coleman in the senior squad - was most recently technical director at the Moroccan federation, and tutored Vieira through his coaching courses. Perhaps that will prove one of the Frenchman's most astute signings of the summer - and demonstrates great loyalty to a man who clearly shares the same vision for Palace.
LAST SEASON - 14th
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Finishing 14th in Roy Hodgson's last season in charge of the Croydon club represented a solid achievement for a team that traditionally relies on their strength on home soil, in front of a committed and passionate fanbase - a presence they certainly missed.
Ultimately concluding the campaign 16 points clear of relegation, the Eagles amassed a respectable total of 44 points - one more than in the previous season, when they also finished 14th. However, they crashed out of both cup competitions in their respective opening rounds.
Though top-scoring talisman Wilfried Zaha and the seemingly rejuvenated Christian Benteke both reached double figures, goals were otherwise hard to come by - with Palace managing just over one per game on average.
Within Hodgson's rigid but effective framework - making the best of the materials at his disposal - both Jordan Ayew and Andros Townsend only scored one apiece, as an ageing side fulfilled their minimum requirement of comfortably avoiding the drop. Despite their reputation, though, the defence under-performed; conceding 66 goals in all - the most since they returned to the Premier League eight years ago.
PREDICTION
While it is hard to pin down a finishing position for a squad that has seen such upheaval - with not only several regulars, but also some strong personalities packing their bags over the summer - there is reason for optimism around Selhurst Park.
The club appear to have recruited well so far - filling the void left behind by a mass contract expiry with promising buys such as Michael Olise and Marc Guehi - while Joachim Andersen's arrival should aid a leaky back four and Wilfried Zaha remains on-board for another year.
Undoubtedly, Eberechi Eze's expected long-term absence will be a bitter blow to new boss Patrick Vieira and the exciting young star alike, as an Achilles injury suffered during training could keep a player flirting with the fringes of the England squad out for a while yet.
As a result, Zaha will again be the man charged with shouldering the creative burden for the Eagles, and if he can keep focused on the job, his penetration and goal threat can help Vieira improve their final placing. Perhaps a cup run is also due, after their dismal fortunes in knockout football last term.
VERDICT: 13th
