Crystal Palace Premier League season preview 2015/16
Saturday 8 August 2015 10:19, UK
All the transfer news, statistics, pundit views and odds ahead of Crystal Palace's 2015/16 campaign.
Position last season: 10th
Sky Bet title odds: 2000/1
Ins: Yohan Cabaye (PSG), Patrick Bamford (Chelsea, loan), Alex McCarthy (Reading), Connor Wickham (Sunderland)
Outs: Lewis Price, Owen Garvan, Peter Ramage, Stephen Dobbie, Jerome Thomas (all released)
Overview
After a superb finish to last season under Alan Pardew and a productive summer in the transfer market, Crystal Palace embark on the 2015/16 campaign on a wave of optimism. Pardew steered the south Londoners from a relegation battle to their highest ever Premier League finish in 2014/15, and the former Newcastle manager has bolstered his squad impressively this summer.
The headline arrival is Yohan Cabaye from Paris Saint Germain. The French international excelled under Pardew during a three-year spell at St James’ Park and adds guile and experience to Palace’s midfield. Cabaye has been joined at Selhurst Park by strikers Connor Wickham and Patrick Bamford, while goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has arrived from QPR.
“The focus this season must be to keep the momentum we have got, maybe win a trophy and try and finish higher than 10th,” said Pardew. “These are the ambitions I have. If we stay injury-free, I would expect us to get close to that.”
Charlie Nicholas' view: "When Alan Pardew first came it was refreshing for both parties and if they can keep Yannick Bolasie and get a bit more out of Wilfried Zaha then they can repeat what we saw in the second half of last season. They’re entertaining to watch and thrill and frustrate their fans, which are up there amongst the best in the league in terms of getting behind their side."
Charlie Nicholas' one to watch: "I really like the balance of their team and James McArthur is invaluable to how they play, unflappable in the middle and allowing the attacking department to excite."
Opta stats
- If the Premier League had started when Alan Pardew had taken over at Crystal Palace last season, the Eagles would have finished sixth.
- Only Eden Hazard (294) embarked upon more dribbles in last season’s Premier League than Yannick Bolasie (236).
- Yohan Cabaye scored seven goals and claimed two assists in 19 appearances in his final six months in the Premier League with Newcastle in 2013/14.
