Edmund Brack’s assessment on Crystal Palace’s start to the Premier League season – best and worst performances and which transfer excites the most

Crystal Palace head into the international break after a 3-2 win over Wolves on Sunday which leaves them seventh in the Premier League standings. Here EDMUND BRACK assesses their opening to the 2023-24 campaign.

What have you made of Palace’s start?

It’s been a fairly encouraging start to Crystal Palace’s 2023-24 season.

The 1-0 opening day win at Sheffield United was a convincing performance and Roy Hodgson’s side could, and should, have recorded a more convincing result.
The only defeat so far – a 1-0 loss at home to Arsenal – highlighted some more serious problems in the squad.

Palace have been without Michael Olise – their main creative spark from last season – and new summer arrival Matheus Franca due to a hamstring and back injury respectively.

It left Hodgson only able to call upon Naouirou Ahamada and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi from the bench – two players with barely a handful of Premier League minutes to their names – as they chased an equaliser against the Gunners.

The yearly draw with Brentford and the EFL Cup comeback win against Championship side Plymouth were positive performances and the 3-2 win against Wolves on Sunday showed that Palace should have more than enough to stay in the division.

The main frustration is that it could end up being a season of ‘what could have been’ for the South Londoners.

More points could have been taken from the Brentford and Arsenal games and with the target set out very clearly this season on securing a top-half finish, it remains to be seen whether there is enough experience in the wide areas to truly take this side to the next level.

Who has been the standout performer?

There have been several members of the starting 11 – which has been the same in all four Premier League outings – who have impressed.

Eberechi Eze looks more cultured and incisive in his decision making since earning his maiden England senior international call-up.

Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi are extremely consistent while Cheik Doucoure and Jefferson Lerma have flourished alongside each other since the Colombian midfielder arrived in the summer.

But it is Odsonne Edouard who has shown real promise in the opening stages of the season.

He has three goals in his first four games and four goals in all competitions and is already close to the seven he managed last season.

His first goal at Sheffield United – darting between the defence and planting Jordan Ayew’s low cross past Wes Foderingham – was his first goal for the Eagles outside of London since joining from Celtic for £14million in August 2021.

The French forward showed a similar deadly instinct against Wolves, reacting quickly to Tyrick Mitchell’s cross to stick a leg out and divert the ball beyond Jose Sa.

With Wilfried Zaha gone and Franca needing a period of bedding in before he can truly show why the Eagles have splashed big money to land him, Edouard looks set to carry the goalscoring burden on his shoulders.

What has been the best performance?

The 3-2 win against Wolves – the scoreline flattered Gary O’Neil’s side.

Palace were fairly dominant in the first half, with the fear at half-time that once again they were going to be left to rue missed chances.
But the combination play between Eze, Mateta and Edouard proved too much for the Wolves defence in the second period.

What has been the worst performance?

The first 55 minutes against Plymouth in the EFL Cup.

A rotated side, which was saved by the triple substitution of Eze, Jordan Ayew and Jeffrey Schlupp, found themselves 2-0 down in the 46th minute. All three grabbed assists to help the Eagles run out 4-2 winners, with Jean-Philippe Mateta grabbing a hat-trick.

Which transfer window signing are you most excited about?

Franca, without a doubt.

The Eagles have paid an initial fee of £17million with a further £9m in add-ons for the attacker.

Franca can play anywhere across the front three and was also being chased by Chelsea and Newcastle.

Former Palace striker and manager Freedman, now sporting director, personally scouted Franca in Brazil. With a future Ballon d’Or clause included in the deal, Eagles fans will be in for a treat if he is able to scale the heights expected by the club’s hierarchy.

Is there a position that you feel hasn’t been adequately covered?

The wide areas.

Hodgson has had to name Ayew and Schlupp in the wide position – players who recorded seven goals between them last season.

Talisman Wilfried Zaha rejected a new deal to sign for Galatasaray with Olise and Franca both rehabbing from their injuries.

Jack Harrison and Luis Sinisterra, who was offered to Palace on loan, would have both been additions the club could have made to strengthen the club’s wide options.

Which area of the team gives you confidence?

Central midfield. The partnership of Doucoure and Lerma looks set to be key for Palace’s season.

Lerma has slotted in seamlessly alongside the Mali international and Hodgson hailed the ex-Bournemouth player’s debut against Sheffield United as “outstanding” after he won 12 aerial battles, made two blocks and won three tackles. He also completed 68 passes and had 82 touches.

Doucoure, linked with Liverpool in the summer window, also looks better game by game and will no doubt again have suitors lining up for his signature.

Palace are incredibly well-stocked in the central defensive area, with Chris Richards and Rob Holding the back-up options to Andersen and Guehi.

Which area of the team do you think could be a weakness?

Full-back area. Joel Ward and Nathaniel Clyne are both dependable players in the Premier League but lack the attacking prowess needed for a modern-day top-flight full-back.

Tyrick Mitchell is Palace’s first-choice left-back by a country mile, but he does not have adequate competition or cover should he pick up an injury or loss of form.