A look at Crystal Palace’s potential starting side for the new Premier League season - if they sign their transfer targets.
Crystal Palace haven’t exactly been the most active team in the transfer market thus far – aside from the addition of free agent full-back Óscar Mingueza, they haven’t added a single player since appointing Pierre Sage as their new head coach. That will change before deadline day, however.
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Another free transfer, this time for former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, is inching closer to completion, but Palace are also likely to add a handful of new faces who could challenge for immediate starting minutes, with centre-halves and a midfielder at the top of their shopping list.
Which most of the club’s transfer business still to come, we’ve decided to take a look at what Palace’s new starting line-up could look like on the opening day of the season – if they successfully sign some of their reported targets.
New centre-back among Crystal Palace targets
Crystal Palace could become Axel Disasi's fourth Premier League club after Chelsea, Aston Villa & West Hamplaceholder image
Crystal Palace could become Axel Disasi's fourth Premier League club after Chelsea, Aston Villa & West Ham | Getty Images
GK – Dean Henderson (£20m): This is one position which won’t see any changes before deadline day. Henderson is nailed on for the number one spot barring injuries, and Palace have given us no reason to believe that they need or want an upgrade.
LWB – Tyrick Mitchell (N/A): While the signings of Mingueza and likely Tomiyasu will add some depth and competition for places, it’s overwhelmingly likely that academy product Mitchell continues to be the first choice at Selhurst Park.
CB – Jaydee Canvot (£23m): Canvot was a revelation last season, making the step up to the starting XI with apparent ease and establishing himself as one of the most talented young defenders in the top flight. He is in line for an expanded role in the coming campaign, especially as Palace have been forced to end their interest in one target - Fenerbahçe’s Jayden Oosterwolde - after the Dutchman suffered an Achilles injury.
CB – Chris Richards (£10m): Richards is now the senior centre-back at Palace and seems the least likely of their current options to have his minutes impacted by new arrivals. The former Bayern Munich has been a consistent presence at the back for the last couple of season, and we expect that to continue.
CB – Axel Disasi (£25m*): With Maxence Lacroix having followed Marc Guéhi out of the door, Crystal Palace are likely to sign at least one new centre-back to strengthen the back three - and one target is Chelsea’s Disasi. The Frenchman has yet to impress in the Premier League, but rumours increasingly suggest that Palace will take a chance on the Frenchman’s talents. Chelsea’s alleged asking price is £25m, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the final fee was a little less expensive.
RWB – Daniel Muñoz (£8.5m): Muñoz will likely retain his place for the start of the season despite the arrival of Mingueza – who can play on either side but is predominantly right-footed. A little more rotation may be in order, however.
Will Palace sign a new midfielder this summer?
AC Milan's Youssouf Fofana is among Palace's midfielder targetsplaceholder image
AC Milan's Youssouf Fofana is among Palace's midfielder targets | Getty Images
CM – Adam Wharton (£22m): Crystal Palace may be in the market for a midfielder, but the brilliant young Wharton seems unlikely to lose any minutes if he does get some fresh competition. He’s become the beating heart of this side, and as long as he stays fit, he’ll play.
CM – Youssouf Fofana (£17m*): Palace are one of a couple of Premier League teams to have reportedly enquired about AC Milan’s Fofana, although there are mixed reports about whether the Serie A side want to offload him or not. He’s certainly somewhere on the shortlist, at least, and among the more plausible and affordable candidates.
LW – Yéremy Pino (£26m): Pino enjoyed a decent debut season in the capital and looks likely to be Sage’s starter for the new campaign. A few more goals wouldn’t go amiss, but the Spaniard has plenty of talent and creativity in his feet.
RW – Ismaïla Sarr (£17m): Sarr is too much of a goal threat to be dropped easily, but there have been a few worrying rumours suggesting interest from other, wealthier clubs. Assuming that he stays put, he should be one of the more nailed-on members of the first team.
CF – Jean-Philippe Mateta (£11.5m): The great unknown for the last few weeks of the transfer window is whether Mateta will finally get his wish to leave the club – or settle for an improved contract instead. A new four-year deal is on the table, with his decision as yet unknown. This could easily be a new signing, but for now we’re predicting that Mateta will stay where he is. We wouldn’t care to wager too much on it, mind you.