Patrick Vieira: What are new manager’s priorities as he starts work at Crystal Palace?

Roy Hodgson’s successor has some issues to address at Selhurst Park.

Wilfried Zaha and Ebere Eze in action for Crystal Palace (PA Wire)

Crystal Palace have appointed Patrick Vieira as Roy Hodgson’s replacement.

Here, we take a look at what is in the in-tray of the new man at Selhurst Park

Sort out contract situation

Patrick van Aanholt (right) and Andros Townsend are among those out of contract (PA Archive)

There are 12 first-team players out of contract and one of them, Andros Townsend, revealed in May the club were waiting to appoint a manager before deciding who would get new terms. While Christian Benteke signed a two-year deal in June, several key players remain free to leave including Joel Ward, Gary Cahill and Patrick Van Aanholt. It might suit Vieira to let a large amount of the squad depart in order to bring in his own players, but the experience of those who could exit is invaluable and some will surely remain.

Bring down average age

Gary Cahill, who turned 35 in December, was a regular for Crystal Palace last season (PA Wire)

A challenge for chairman Steve Parish and sporting director Dougie Freedman in recent transfer windows has been to freshen up the playing group. Everyone at Selhurst Park has been more than aware for some time there is a need to bring down the average age of the squad with numerous players aged 30 or over. Some of the elder statesmen will exit on free transfers while the signings of Nathan Ferguson, Ebere Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta – who are all 24 or below – during the last 12 months have helped, but Vieira will be involved in convincing more hungry, talented youngsters to join the Eagles.

Coping without Eze

Eze proved a huge hit with the Palace fans after a £20million transfer from QPR last summer. After contributing four goals and six assists during his debut campaign in the Premier League, even more was expected for this term but an Achilles injury in May looks likely to rule the playmaker out for the rest of 2021. Coping without arguably the club’s second-best attacker is a big blow to former Arsenal captain Vieira and he will have to find a way to cover the loss of Eze’s creativity.

Manage latest Zaha saga

As with every transfer window, the topic of Wilfried Zaha’s future is back on the agenda. Hodgson was able to handle the speculation impressively and – aside from a modest 2019-20 season – ensured Zaha remained unaffected by the constant talk over a move. That job is now Vieira’s and with Eze out for the foreseeable future, Palace’s reliance on last season’s top goalscorer feels greater than ever. A hefty bid could tempt Parish and Freedman to part ways with the Ivory Coast international if the funds can be reinvested in the squad, but the new boss would surely prefer to keep hold of the club’s star player.