Crystal Palace face a massive rebuild in the summer with 19 players out of contract and one of the oldest squads in Europe with an average age quickly approaching 30.

Here's how I'd go about it [ A Thread ]

Palace's squad is a ticking time bomb about to blow in the summer. The contract situation + Covid means either Palace give these old players long deals, worsening the issue in the long term, or lose them with no sell-on effectively having to rebuild entirely on scraps

Rebuild Strategy: To rebuild, I will focus on:
- Young players from weak leagues with sell on potential
- Exploit loan market
- Buy free agents
- Exploit L1 financial crisis
- Avoid expensive PL players(even relegated ones)
- Buy for Hodgson's style(see next tweet)

Tactical Profiles: While Hodgson(73) is out of contract & may leave it makes sense to stick to a similar game plan that's kept them up. However, with the size of the rebuild there is more freedom to buy in a way that Palace can transition to a more technical side

In short, we're building for a compact, mid-low block 442 focussed on quick transition through the targetman and/or Zaha, Eze and other strong ball carriers. We want wide players who put in a shift, CBs excellent at defending the box and full backs strong in the air

GK: Guaita's performances have dipped this season underperforming his PSxG but in general he's been solid so a short term extension makes sense given money is short.

Otherwise, I'd look at Livakovic(26). The Croat has out performed his PSxG in the last 3 seasons in Europe

Averaging 0.16 xG/90 saved above expectation when accounting for shot location in 20 odd games. He's also Croatia's first choice, keeping out 82% of shots in Euro Qualifiers.

He might be too expensive so Racioppi, Omlin might be good options from L1 on a bargain

RB: Clyne has done enough for a short term extension, while Ferguson is yet to return from injury. With both of their injury records, it makes sense to bring in another RB.

I'd go for Ryan Nyambe(23). He's out of contract in the summer & has had a solid season for Blackburn

He's comfortable at both ends, creating a chance/90 and making 2/2.6 tackles & 1.6 interceptions/90. He also wins 60% of his ground & aerial duels making him a very solid option

Alternatively, Fosu Mensah(on loan at CP before) is also available on a free & would be massive coup

CB: With Tomkins, Kouyate and Ferguson the only CBs with more than 6 months on their deals & the latter two not primarily CBs, and the former two with only 18 months on their deal there's probably need for two more CBs. Dann(33), Cahill(35) are very old & Sakho's wages too high

For his performances & fitness.

My top target would be Ben Davies(Preston North End, 25). The left footer is out of contract in the summer and has had 4 solid seasons in the Championship, ready for a step up. He's good on the ball, excellent on the ground and solid aerially

He has won 1.2/1.3 tackles, made 1.5 interceptions and 4.3 clearances /90 this season and won 76% of his ground duels & 66% of his aerials putting up similar numbers in past seasons.

Next the loan market would be the best bet, with Guehi, Tomori, Rodon, Tanganga potentially

Available.

Otherwise, my target would be Gernot Trauner(28). While not the youngest, he should be available very cheap & would bring leadership to the defence. He's an extremely aggressive CB winning 4.2 interceptions/90 and 2.5/3 tackles. He wins 75% of his aerials with a

great leap on him and 63% of his ground duels. He'd be comfortable in a deep line, but could also help Palace transition into more of a front foot team.

Other options include Kabango & Souttar from the Championship, Faes & Kouyate from L1 & Carmo, Nelsson. All are great

At defending the box and handling crosses, something Palace face a lot of

LB: Renewing Mitchell is a must. PVA's performances are poor but a short term deal might do. Schlupp, Ferguson & even Riedewald, Clyne can offer emergency cover if needed so no new signings required

Midfield: Meyer is on ridiculous wages, McArthur will be 34, and McCarthy (30) has been out of favour. So Milivojevic (29) & Kouyate (31) are the only options. Two more CMs will be needed.

Olise would be a tremendous signing but will face a lot of competition with his low

Release clause. Palhinha would normally be my top choice but he just signed a long term deal making him too expensive.

My targets would be:

Bohinen(21): Son of Lars, this should be a very cheap, easy & smart deal as he has a year on his deal. Bohinen is a deep lying playmaker

Like Matic, Berge. He is excellent at spraying the ball & something of a set piece specialist. He wins 2.7 tackles, 1.8 interceptions/90 but can also dribble completing 80% of his 1.3 dribbles/90 and drawing 2.1 fouls/90.

He wins 60% of his ground duels & 65% of his aerials

Next to him, I'd look at Cheick Doucoure who might be available cheap because of L1s financial problems.

Doucoure is comfortable in central defence or in midfield. He can play progressive passes(4.71 per 90) & switches(2.71 per 90).

Defensively, he averages 3 tackles & 1.9

Interceptions/90. He also wins 1.7 dribbles/90 at a 88% success rate and 70% of his long passes. He's very comfortable winning the ball and progressing it.

Alternatives include Onyeka & Dorsch,

Attackers: Eze is a key player, and it makes sense to renew Schlupp & Townsend on short term deals as rotation. Zaha now plays up top & while it might be the best time to cash in on him, selling their talisman during such an upheaval is risky.

A right sided player would be good

I'd target Faivre. With L1's financial problems he might be available cheap but interest will be high.

Faivre has been the star of the L1 this season. He's an excellent dribbler with brilliant touch and he's excellent in transition, turning sharply, carrying the ball & setting

Up chances. He has a mean cross and set piece on him too.

He completes 3.1(67.1%) of his dribbles, and an incredible 5.31 shot creation actions per 90(4th in L1) with an npXG + xA/90 of 0.45. He has the most progressive carries & carries into the final 3rd in L1 exactly what

This Palace side thrives on. However this is a difficult buy. Ounas is a solid alternative if Cagliari don't take up the €16m option to buy. Like Faivre, he's a great dribbler with an excellent cross. He plays similar to Ziyech which could be great for the targetman

Ejuke, Fulgini, Vlasic and Ferhat are good alternatives.

Up front Benteke's wages are high so renewal isn't ideal. Ayew is a decent option.

My first choice would be to attempt to lure the excellent Brobbey on a free with the promise of gametime.

The 18 year old is built like a truck and has excellent hold up play. He has scored 110 goals in 140 career games across all levels.

Olunga would've been another smart option but just moved to Qatar.

Giroud on a free could be tempted by the prospect of staying in London

And would offer excellent hold up play plus goals but would be a very short term option, but one that would most likely guarantee safety for a year or two which is important when overseeing such an overhaul. His wages are high but he'd be a free agent.

Junker(26) would be an incredibly smart signing too. Leading the line for an inspiring Bodø/Glimt side, he scored 27 goals in 25 games with solid underlying numbers & decent aerial presence. With 18 months on his deal & the prices Hauge & Zinckernagel left for, he'll cost peanuts

Mateta is another brilliant option who Palace have chased in the past and might be available cheap should Mainz go down. His underlying numbers are great and he's strong in the air & has a long stride. Kalajdzic of Stuttgart is someone I recommended for Palace when he was at

Austria and would still be a good option. He's 6'8 but mobile. A massive penalty box threat and great at bringing others into play.

If Zaha is to be sold to raise cash while he still can, I'd look at Danilo(Ajax), De La Cruz(Free), Sulemana or Dennis Man as a replacement

I'd also strongly consider the loan market especially Gilmour, Gallagher, RLC, Guehi, Tomori from Chelsea and Elliot & Wilson from Liverpool. Ejaria is another one to consider but perhaps too similar to Eze on his preferred role and position

This is what a realistic and very cheap rebuild would look like. I believe it sets up Palace for the next few years and allows them to focus on bringing 1-2 very talented but expensive players in future years rather than rebuilding the entire squad

End of Thread