How did Crystal Palace do this season? 2021/22 FPL review
With the Premier League season over, it’s time to assess each of the 20 teams one-by-one. So here is Crystal Palace’s FPL review of 2021/22.
Head coach Patrick Vieira felt like a risky appointment last summer but, to his credit, it’s been a highly promising first campaign. A young side has emerged, no longer a one-man team relying on Wilfried Zaha. As a result, it ended as Zaha’s best top-flight campaign for goals scored (14) and FPL points (150).
A safe 12th-placed finish is in the bag, one point short of their best 38-game Premier League total.
FPL review
What is arguably most impressive about the Eagles’ year is their quietly-brilliant defence. Although barely spoken of due to the attractions of Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal assets, Palace ended with the fifth-best defence for conceding attempts (443), shots inside the box (267) and expected goals (46.73).
If the likes of Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen and Tyrick Mitchell can stay at a £4.5m price next season, they should definitely be considered for selection.
Best FPL asset
Palace’s FPL campaign was one of two halves. Ultimately, Wilfried Zaha took centre stage with eight goals in the final 13 games. He disappointed 1.1 million owners in Double Gameweek 37 but followed it with his 14th league goal – three more than his previous best.
Earlier on, it was loanee Conor Gallagher getting the attention. Priced at £5.5m after an unspectacular year at West Brom, the Chelsea man announced himself by netting twice in Gameweek 3 and grabbing a pair of assists immediately after.
At his peak, 2.5 million managers were relying on Gallagher. Six goals and five assists had arrived by the halfway point, although only three attacking returns came afterwards.
Biggest FPL disappointment
What FPL managers found frustrating was being unable to predict which forward would be starting. Between them, Odsonne Edouard, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Christian Benteke and Jordan Ayew collected 18 goals and ten assists.
They started 18, 13, 11 and 23 games respectively, sometimes being rotated out during a good spell.
At least Mateta came with a very cheap £5.2m price later on, when he seemed to be Vieira’s slight favourite.
Looking ahead to next season
There are reasons to be optimistic if you’re a Crystal Palace supporter. Michael Olise looks very talented if some game time can be gathered, with Marc Guehi having a season so good that it earnt him an England debut.
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea can be convinced into permanently selling Gallagher but reports are already linking them with a return for right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
As for starting prices, expect Zaha to rise slightly from £7.0m – maybe to £7.5m.
Check out our other season reviews, as well as regular summer round-ups of FPL news and gossip.
