Crystal Palace and Patrick Vieira – Overachievers with a Big Future

In what has been a truly great Premier League season, one of final day ecstasy for Manchester City but agony for Liverpool and Burnley, you would be forgiven for overlooking the overachievement of clubs not fighting at the pinnacle of the table or even for continental qualification. But in the case of Crystal Palace, it seems that the huge leap they have taken over the past 12 months has been noticed by almost every English football fan. 

Despite a new and relatively inexperienced manager and a refreshed first-team squad Crystal Palace have adjusted to the post-Roy Hodgson era almost seamlessly. They have demonstrated their ability to fight against the Top Six, playing progressive yet tactically flexible football.

Only a lethal Chelsea side stopped them on their journey to facing Liverpool in the FA Final and they have developed some of the most exciting young English players whilst solidifying their Premier League status without breaking sweat. We take a look at why Crystal Palace’s season, their first under Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, should be held as one of the most notable achievements of this Premier League season.

Crystal Palace players, fans and executives would have been looking at the 2021/22 season with serious concern – the club was staring into the unknown. The management team had confirmed that they would not remain at Selhurst Park for the coming season, 7 first-team players were out of contract at the end of the season and the squad had an average age of 27.7.