Can Oliver Glasner Keep Crystal Palace's 'Glad All Over' Spirit Alive in 2024/25?

When Crystal Palace are at their best, Selhurst Park comes alive, the stands shaking with joy as the Dave Clarke Five's "Glad All Over" resonates like a national anthem, fans pledging their allegiance to the Eagles. In the closing quarter of the 2023/24 season, this atmosphere became a regular occurrence—a refreshing change from previous months.

Previously, fans had grown disillusioned with the club's trajectory under manager Roy Hodgson, as Crystal Palace hovered near the relegation zone. A significant lack of creativity plagued the squad, despite possessing an array of promising young talent. However, Austrian coach Oliver Glasner was brought in to replace Hodgson, with many lauding his tactical acumen and innovative mindset.

The Glasner Effect: A New Dawn for Palace

Although Glasner needed time to acclimatize to the Premier League, a level of electric football was soon evident once he and his players clicked. This transformation was clear as Palace managed to be unbeaten in their last seven games, winning six of them, including impressive victories against Liverpool and Manchester United. Fulham was the lone team to take points from Palace during that stretch, with a 1-1 draw marking an otherwise stellar run.

Glasner oversaw 13 Premier League matches, where Palace experienced only three defeats. Even when the team faced losses or draws, the promise of improvement was evident—scoring twice against Manchester City is no small feat. Analyzing the stats, Glasner's regime saw Palace score more goals, create more significant opportunities, and achieve a similar number of clean sheets compared to the previous 25 matches under Hodgson.

Star Players Rise Under Glasner

One player who has notably thrived since Glasner's arrival is Jean-Philippe Mateta. Often viewed as a squad player before, Mateta exploded into form, scoring a total of 13 league goals during Glasner’s 13 matches—outpacing his previous season totals. His performance helped culminate in a hat-trick during the final match against Aston Villa. Mateta's confidence has been affirmed through his participation in the 2024 Olympics, where he scored five goals for France.

Glasner has recognized the importance of confidence in a striker's performance, explaining, "When strikers score and have confidence, their decision-making is better." This narrative of confidence extends beyond Mateta, as Glasner continues to build a squad capable of fluid football and cutting-edge creativity.

Looking Ahead: Challenges for the 2024/25 Season

As the season draws near, questions arise regarding whether the Eagles can maintain their form. The summer is poised to be one of transition as it marks Glasner's first transfer window to shape the team. Unfortunately, fans were met with the departure of Michael Olise, who transferred to Bayern Munich in a significant deal. With both Olise and Eberechi Eze dealing with fitness issues prior to Olise’s departure, replacing their contributions is imperative.

Managing Departures and Incomings

Other key players like Marc Guehi, who had aspired for a successful Euro 2024 campaign, are already drawing interest from clubs such as Newcastle and Liverpool. Palace has shown resilience, having succeeded in fast-paced conditions, displayed through its defensive prowess featuring Daniel Munoz and Joachim Andersen. Yet, losing both star centre-backs would be daunting.

Jordan Ayew's potential exit is also on the cards, as Palace's addition of Ismaila Sarr introduces competition on the right flank. While Sarr complements the squad, Palace seems keen on further acquisitions, potentially revisiting Wilfried Zaha, who left for Galatasaray last summer but could provide crucial experience and creativity.

Talent Development Continues: Adam Wharton

Amidst these transitions, homegrown talents like Adam Wharton could shine brightly. Wharton’s inclusion in England's Euro 2024 squad after a meteoric rise following his January transfer from Blackburn symbolizes his readiness to emerge as a vital asset.

As the transfer window extends, retaining key talents will be pivotal for Palace’s objectives this season. Yet, with Glasner’s intelligence and tactical insight at the helm, fans maintain cautious optimism.

Conclusion: Aiming for Greater Heights

Crystal Palace enters the 2024/25 season with a spirited determination to uphold the impressive form established towards the tail end of the last campaign. Fans are hopeful for sustained success, particularly in cup competitions where the Eagles have excelled in recent years. With a solid pre-season, optimism is bubbling, but the true test will arise as Palace opens the new season against Brentford, with the match live on Sky Sports.