Crystal Palace had a comfortable season – but the summer rebuilding job is set to be more challenging

The final whistle of a congested and gruelling season has blown, and Roy Hodgson has led Crytal Palace to a comfortable 14th place finish in the Premier League. But with 12 players yet to sign new deals at the club, Wilfried Zaha once again hoping for a move away, Eberechi Eze suffering a severe Achilles injury and Hodgson and assistant Ray Lewington stepping down, this summer will be anything less than comfortable.

In Hodgson’s final game, the Eagles fell to defeat thanks to a double from Sadio Mane. The South Londoners have been ravaged by injuries in the final stage of the season, with several first-team contributors missing for the experienced manager’s final few games.

This summer will be pivotal in terms of the South Londoners’ hopes of retaining Premier League status again. The first step in laying the foundations of the new era will be hiring a new manager.

Steve Cooper has been linked to the job. His impressive work with the England U17 side, and now as Swansea manager – taking them to back-to-back Championship play-off charges – has seen him under consideration to replace Hodgson.

Cooper’s ability to improve talented youngsters could see him as the favourite, with Palace’s flourishing academy becoming more prominent in the club’s future.

If the Palace hierarchy are going to appoint Sean Dyche as Hodgson’s replacement, then the playing staff will only need minor tweaks and not evolution. But, should it Valerian Ismael – who plays a high-pressing brand of football – be seen as the natural successor then the squad overhaul will be colossal.

What ultimately led to Frank de Boer’s swift downfall was the lack of investment into the playing staff. Only Jairo Riedewald and two loan signings – Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek – were brought in as the Dutchman tried to implement a 3-5-2 formation.

Once the managerial appointment is made, the second step will be addressing the squad rebuild.

The ageing centre-backs, and the unfortunate reoccurring injury problems for James Tomkins, have exposed the insecurities in the defence – conceding 66 goals throughout this campaign. With Patrick van Aanholt and Mamadou Sakho expected to leave, the defence urgently needs attention.

In addition, Nathan Ferguson has also succumbed to an achilles injury which is likely to see him miss the start of next season – stressing the necessity for Palace to keep one of Joel Ward or Nathaniel Clyne for the incoming manager.

The midfield now has an added dimension in Reidewald, a player who can patrol the centre of the pitch, break up the play and bring the ball forward. However, highlighted by James McArthur’s recent absence, the Eagles lack a box-to-box figure who can ease the pressure on the defence and complement the side’s attacking intent.

In attack, Palace only have one recognised centre forward committed to being at the club for next season in Jean-Philippe Mateta. Christian Benteke’s resurgence will see an ever-growing list of clubs interested in securing his services on a free transfer.

What will also give the new manager a dilemma is a cruel injury that will keep Eze – who was beginning to impose himself as a standout Premier League player – out until next year. Zaha has once again made clear his ambition to leave the club in order to fulfil his burning desire to win trophies.

With just 82 days until the beginning of the 2021-22 Premier League season, the third step will be blending the new players with the old guard, implementing an attacking approach to a team that has been defensively cautious, and at the same time securing Palace’s 10th season in the top-flight.

Crystal Palace are heading into the unknown, but fortune favours the brave. The risks which the Eagles are about to undertake could yield massive rewards.