Crystal palace’s most recent defeat, a 2-0 loss away at Wolves, highlighted exactly where the problems lie in his squad. Goals. Jordan Ayew has mustered up a decidedly average nine Premier League goals as Palace’s top scorer this season, with Wilfried Zaha back on four. A goalscoring forward is now a must from the upcoming transfer window.
Palace have scored a total of 30 goals in the league this season. That’s only seven more than on loan Alexander Sorloth has bagged by himself in Turkey. However, it looks likely that he will stay at Trabzonspor and they will activate his cut-price release clause of £5million. A fee that Palace probably would have taken after his dismal season in England, that fee now looks like a bargain.
An overhaul is needed
It is not just goals that Palace need. It’s a complete overhaul. They have the oldest average squad in the league and going off Hodgson’s teams he has been fielding recently he doesn’t think much of his current academy prospects.
This overhaul is unlikely to happen this year, although the signing of long term target Nathan Ferguson on a free transfer from West Brom looks like a great a bit of business, Palace fans shouldn’t get there hopes up of too many more signings coming their way.
Clubs are likely to hold off big money moves this window with the cloud of coronavirus and the financial implications that it has had, meaning the period should be quiet. (Unless you have the financial clout of Roman Abramovich).
Why should Hodgson have one more season?
Hodgson is great at making what he has at his disposal work. And most importantly keeping teams in the top-flight.
When the time comes next season and Palace are ready to spend and pump money into the club, they can replace Hodgson with a new manager and a fresh outlook.
In the last few weeks Palace have been granted category one status for their academy, in an area renowned for producing top quality talent. Jadon Sancho, Tammy Abraham and Palaces own Aaron Wan Bissaka to name a few.
The 20/21 campaign may be a tough one for Palace, but make it through that and the future is very bright.