Friday 4 August 2017 11:47, UK
Will Frank de Boer succeed in the Selhurst Park hot seat? Read our Crystal Palace 2017/18 season preview with the views of Soccer Saturday pundit Paul Merson.
Last season's finishing position: 14th (+1)
Total points: 41 (-1)
FA Cup: Fourth round
EFL Cup: Third round
Top league scorer: Christian Benteke (15)
Key stat: While Palace had a similar campaign to 2015/16, their form at Selhurst Park will have been most concerning. They had the third-worst home record in the Premier League, with just 20 points taken from a possible 57. Only relegated Sunderland and Middlesbrough earned less.
Major ins: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea, loan), Jairo Riedewald (Ajax, £8m)
Major outs: Steve Mandanda (Marseille, undisclosed), Frazier Campbell (Hull, free), Joe Ledley (free), Mathieu Flamini (free)
Will De Boer succeed at Palace?
MERSE: Ajax played good football under De Boer and I think Palace will be a good side to watch but the Premier League is ruthless and they won't score three or four goals every game, so he'll have to work on the defence more than anything. Sam Allardyce set them up in a way they could function and De Boer will need to find a way of doing the same if he's going to have any success.
Which of their players are you most excited about watching?
MERSE: Wilfried Zaha. I think he's getting better every year. The Manchester United situation knocked him sideways but now he knows when to release the ball, having been all dribble, dribble, dribble before.
What are the challenges facing the manager this season?
MERSE: It all depends on whether they sign Mamadou Sakho for me. Going forward they're a decent side but they've got a lot of old defenders. They shouldn't have been where they were last season but without signing Sakho they could be back down there again.
What are their strengths?
MERSE: Their strength is definitely in going forward. With Zaha, Christian Benteke and Jason Puncheon, they should be a very tough side to stop.
What are their weaknesses?
MERSE: Their defence. They badly need Sakho to sign because they don't have many other great options.
Where will they finish this season and why?
MERSE: If Sakho doesn't sign around the 14th or 15th mark. If he does then around mid-table.
