Crystal Palace Premier League season 17-18 preview: Martin Keown's guide
The Premier League season is now just hours away, and it is time to look ahead to how the 20 teams will all get on.
Sportsmail has recruited columnist Martin Keown to run through reasons to be cheerful and fearful, as well as the key player and major signings.
Here is the lowdown on Crystal Palace...
WHO'S IN CHARGE?
Frank de Boer - Spent six years in charge of Ajax, guiding the side to four league titles. The 47-year-old arrives at Selhurst Park after a spell at Inter Milan at the start of last season where he was not given a fair crack of the whip, lasting just 14 matches.
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL
Consistency is something which Palace have lacked in the last couple of seasons. They have been crying out for a manager to come in and implement his own style of play. De Boer can do just that and I am intrigued to see how well he can do. In the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend, he has creative players at his disposal. De Boer can harness the fantastic home support to turn Selhurst Park into a fortress.
REASONS TO BE FEARFUL
Palace's defence will be a cause for concern after shipping 63 goals and De Boer must ensure they tighten up at the back. He has brought in Jairo Riedewald from Ajax but Palace will miss Mamadou Sakho, whose arrival on loan from Liverpool helped Palace to safety.
Wilfried Zaha is far and away Palace's best player and has added finishing product to his game
KEY PLAYER
Wilfried Zaha - Far and away Palace's best player. The 24-year-old has finally struck the right balance of when to run and when to cross. It's a real shame we won't get another chance to see him in an England shirt now he has chosen to represent Ivory Coast.
MAJOR INS
Jairo Riedewald (Ajax) £8m, Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea) loan, Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Manchester United) loan
MAJOR OUTS
Steve Mandanda (Marseille) undisclosed, Fraizer Campbell (Hull) free, Joe Ledley, Mathieu Flamini (released)
LAST SEASON POSITION: 14TH
WHERE WILL THEY FINISH THIS SEASON?
Their squad has enough firepower to avoid another relegation scrap and a top-half finish is not beyond them.
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