Crystal Palace's signings example of club's astute transfers

With key players Cheick Doucore, Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Mark Guehi all out of action, an already struggling Crystal Palace side reached a new low this February after their 3-1 loss to Chelsea at Selhurst Park.

This result marked eight defeats and only two wins in their previous 13 games, and was shortly followed by Roy Hodgson’s resignation as manager as a result of health issues and the decline in form.

Only four points above the relegation zone, Palace were facing one of their most difficult periods since their promotion in 2013, with their Premier League status in jeopardy.

Despite this, summer signings Jefferson Lerma and Matheus Franca and January arrivals Adam Wharton and Daniel Munoz have since all been instrumental in keeping Palace afloat.

Each addition had crucial roles in a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Everton and the inspired 3-0 victory over Burnley to project Palace, now 14th and eight points above the drop, back into relative safety for the time being.

Palace’s capitulation at Spurs over the weekend served as a harsh reminder of their current insufficiencies, despite taking the lead they would lose 3-1 after conceding three goals in the space of 11 minutes.

Nonetheless, the ability of the new recruits to step into the first team during an injury crisis and a sudden managerial departure is reflective of the club's shrewd recruitment under challenging circumstances.

With one of the lower revenues among Premier League sides and little income in the way of player sales, sporting director Dougie Freedman has continued to keep Crystal Palace competitive on a limited budget, with his latest additions already proving their value.

Jefferson Lerma was signed on a free transfer after his contract at Bournemouth expired in July and has been a mainstay in the Palace midfield after an injury to Doucore in November ruled him out for the season, with his Premier League experience proving vital.

Brazilian youngster Matheus Franca arrived in the summer for £15 million from Flamengo.

Franca had his best game in a Palace shirt to date against Burnley, with a fine assist and winning a penalty.

After struggling for game time under Hodgson, the 19-year-old could be an important player under newly appointed Oliver Glasner, having provided creativity in the absence of Olise and Eze.

Daniel Munoz arrived late in January from Genk for a fee £6.9 million. The 27-year-old right back has already offered an improved attacking outlet for Palace in this position.

England u-20 international Adam Wharton has also hit the ground running after joining on deadline day from Blackburn in a deal worth up to £22.5 million.

Despite his age, the 20-year-old industrious midfielder already looks comfortable in the Premier League and a player that Palace can rely on in the coming months.

Both sets of signings have demonstrated Palace’s intelligent navigation of the transfer market.

The additions of Colombian internationals Lerma and Munoz, respectively 29 and 27, have provided Palace with experience and cover at nominal fees.

Franca and Wharton on the other hand represent thoroughly-scouted young talent that, while long-term investments, are relatively experienced for their age and have already been able to make an impact at the club.

Although there is still discontent among fans over the situation Palace have found themselves in this season, it is focused on a lack of investment in the side, with few complaints over how Freedman used the funds he had available.

While most of Palace’s injury list are all expected to return to the fold this season, with Eze back in the side for the Spurs match, the recruitment has also reflected the meticulous long-term strategy to improve the trajectory of the club.

Olise, Eze, Guehi and Doucore, all brought in by Freedman, are admired by top-six Premier League sides and there is a possibility one or two of them could depart in coming transfer windows.

The likes of Wharton and Franca represent the next generation of young talent brought in to develop at the club, with their assimilation into the squad this season showing sound preparation for the departure of their predecessors.

This model of development is what has allowed Palace to attract their young talent.

After joining Wharton said: “The way they’ve brought players from the Championship and developed them into world class players in the Premier League is something that stood out to me, and it’s a big reason why I wanted to come here.”

With Olise, Eze and most recently Doucore signing long-term extensions, the club are in a strong position for negotiating sales, with each player likely to fetch at least £50 million.

Palace fans will be upset to see any of these key figures leave, but it represents a step towards sustainability with the club able to generate a significantly higher revenue than ever before.

Unsurprisingly, Freedman’s role in this has also attracted interest, with Manchester United keen to appoint him as their new head of recruitment.

While the lack of investment hasn’t been popular among the fanbase, this policy of using a small budget to recruit young talent with large sell-on potential has undoubtedly began to bear fruits.

With Everton and Nottingham Forest facing point deductions for violating FFP regulations, Chairman Steve Parish also deserves credit for prudently overseeing this operation and not spending above Palace’s means.

Of course, the issue at hand remains that Palace still need to navigate their way through a tough run-in to the season amid an injury crisis.

Having transformed a mid-table Wolfsburg into a Champions League side and won the Europa League with Frankfurt, Oliver Glasner’s appointment also represents a long-term ambition to improve Crystal Palace.

However, Glasner’s objective for the time being will be to keep Palace away from the relegation zone.

A win in his third match in charge against Luton this weekend will go a long way towards consolidating their survival.