Crystal Palace
A no-brainer – Crystal Palace have to extend Hodgson’s stay if they are to rise higher
Why Crystal Palace offering Hodgson a new deal would be wise
According to a Daily Mail report, Roy Hodgson is set to sign a new contract with South London club Crystal Palace.
After signing for the Eagles in September 2017, and with his current contract due to expire at the end of the season, the former England boss is on the verge of extending his tenure at Selhurst Park.
Hodgson, 72, created a new record this February when he surpassed Sir Bobby Robson’s record as the oldest serving boss in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have kick-started their league campaign on a good note, winning 4 of their opening 11 matches.
With 15 points on board, they trail fifth-placed Arsenal by two points and are ahead of fallen giants Manchester United.
Earlier, Palace chairman Steve Parish had confirmed that a new deal was on the table and that talks had begun.
For Hodgson, age is clearly just a number. Nevertheless, let’s analyze if the new deal would be in the best interests of the club and its fans.
Hodgson – A true saviour
Palace were a sinking ship when Hodgson took over the reins from his predecessor Frank de Boer.
Four successive defeats at the beginning of the 2017-18 season led to a rocky time for the former manager.
However, Hodgson faced a bumpy ride ahead. Unable to register a single goal and with three defeats after his arrival, the situation was clearly unwelcoming.
Hodgson and Palace finally managed to break the deadlock with a win over Chelsea in a London derby in October, thereby ending a 731-minute dry spell without a league goal.
Improved show
From a club hovering in the relegation zone to an 11th place finish by the end of the season, Hodgson won hearts at Palace.
A mid-table finish (12th) in the 2018-19 campaign followed, signalling a new era of football under the Croydon-born man.
Hodgson’s success illustrated the fact that a club need not shell out millions to taste glory. Before his tenure as Crystal Palace’s manager, the Eagles were one of the lower-placed clubs often fighting to avoid relegation.
In 2016-17, they were placed 14th while in the season before, they had finished a lowly 15th.
Passion and man-management
Hodgson’s arrival ushered a new sense of life into a Palace squad that looked doomed.
Known for his simplistic ways, Hodgson has been a part of numerous great things for the Eagles – a clear indication of his fine-man management skills.
For instance, Gary Neville, who worked alongside Hodgson as his assistant during their time with the England national side (2012-16), spoke of his memories of the 72-year old’s never-dying passion for the game.
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By all means, Roy’s arrival at Palace was a ray of hope while they were reeling at the bottom. And hence, the Eagles should keep him if they want to soar higher and achieve greater things.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace Sign Füka Tsunoda From Brighton on Season Long Loan as Japanese Midfielder Pursues Competitive Development Opportunity
Crystal Palace have completed the season-long loan acquisition of midfielder Füka Tsunoda from Brighton & Hove Albion, establishing young attacking talent pursuing meaningful competitive minutes within their Women’s Super League establishment.
The 21-year-old Japanese international’s two-goal Brighton contribution combined with her seven league appearances establishes genuine elite-level exposure, suggesting proven quality deserving sustained competitive development within challenging professional environment.
Tsunoda’s transfer to South London represents strategic recruitment supporting Jo Potter’s squad construction philosophy, with the midfielder establishing herself as eighth summer signing. That recruitment accumulation suggests Potter constructs comprehensive squad depth supporting their inaugural Women’s Super League season following their promotion success, indicating realistic competitive ambition regarding their elite-level establishment.
Japanese Prospect Brings Elite League Experience and Goal Contribution
Tsunoda’s Brighton foundation combined with her two-goal Women’s Super League contribution establishes credible elite-level pedigree justifying Crystal Palace’s loan commitment. Her Urawa Reds background providing Japanese domestic elite experience establishes dual-pathway development suggesting sophisticated player development trajectory rather than purely untested prospect recruitment.
Her explicit excitement regarding her South London opportunity combined with Potter’s recognition of her as “exciting talent” suggests genuine confidence regarding her immediate contribution capability.
Loan Structure Enables Competitive Development Without Long-Term Commitment
Crystal Palace’s season-long loan arrangement establishes pragmatic development platform enabling meaningful competitive access whilst maintaining Brighton’s long-term rights, suggesting realistic squad development philosophy.
That structured approach provides Tsunoda genuine first-team opportunity whilst limiting both clubs’ risk exposure during transitional competitive periods.
This signing feels strategically important for Crystal Palace’s Women’s Super League establishment. Rather than relying exclusively upon established performers, they invest in young promising talent bringing elite international experience.
Tsunoda’s Japanese international recognition combined with her Brighton credentials positions her as developed prospect capable of meaningful Palace contribution supporting their inaugural elite-level season objectives.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace Sign Tottenham Defender Molly Bartrip on Three Year Deal as Experienced Centre-Back Arrives
Crystal Palace have secured defender Molly Bartrip from Tottenham Hotspur on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, completing significant defensive recruitment.
The 30-year-old centre-back arrives following five years establishing herself as reliable Tottenham performer, accumulating 114 competitive appearances whilst contributing toward the club’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup final appearance during the 2023-24 campaign.
Bartrip brings proven elite-level experience accumulated across multiple Women’s Super League environments including her Reading tenure where she contributed toward the Berkshire club’s promotion success and subsequent top flight establishment. Her England youth international recognition combined with sustained elite-level performance suggests established defender capable of immediate championship-level contribution during Crystal Palace’s Women’s Super League campaign.
Experienced Defender Expresses Genuine Palace Enthusiasm
Bartrip articulated authentic emotional connection regarding her Crystal Palace appointment, specifically highlighting the club’s facilities and welcoming environment as sources of genuine excitement. Her language suggests authentic pride in joining the club rather than viewing the transfer as purely career progression, indicating genuine enthusiasm regarding Selhurst Park’s football environment and institutional culture.
The defender’s emphasis upon the people and facilities suggests she identifies genuine competitive advantages within Palace’s structures supporting her anticipated contribution.
Palace Build Defensive Stability Around Experienced Quality
Bartrip becomes Crystal Palace’s sixth summer signing, representing comprehensive squad construction supporting their Women’s Super League competitive ambitions. Her reunion with former Tottenham teammate Bethany England creates existing familiarity within defensive structures, potentially accelerating integration whilst providing established defensive partnership foundation.
This signing feels strategically important for Crystal Palace’s defensive construction. Bartrip arrives with proven Tottenham experience combined with demonstrated consistency across multiple elite environments, providing established quality without requiring substantial developmental investment.
Her willingness to commit to Palace following her Tottenham tenure validates the club’s competitive direction whilst suggesting genuine confidence regarding their championship-level potential moving forward.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace Midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet Continues Training Seven Months Pregnant Ahead of WSL Season
Crystal Palace midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet has continued pre-season training while seven months pregnant, demonstrating remarkable commitment toward her team’s preparations ahead of the Women’s Super League campaign.
The 34-year-old Belgian international midfielder, expecting a baby in September with physiotherapist fiancé Thomas De Jonghe, has remained actively involved in squad sessions while visibly pregnant.
Vanhaevermaet joined Crystal Palace last summer and directly contributed toward the club’s immediate Women’s Super League 2 promotion success, establishing herself as valuable squad member during their championship campaign. Her continued training involvement despite advanced pregnancy demonstrates genuine professional dedication combined with appropriate health management during her final trimester.
Professional Standards Balanced With Pregnancy Safety
Crystal Palace’s social media celebration of Vanhaevermaet’s training commitment, “seven months pregnant and still putting the work in”, reflects the club’s recognition of her professionalism, while the midfielder demonstrated her keepy-uppy abilities during training sessions.
Her involvement maintains squad familiarity while permitting appropriate physical modifications consistent with NHS guidance recommending continued physical activity during pregnancy.
NHS recommendations suggest maintaining normal daily activity during pregnancy while avoiding exhaustion, with pregnant women maintaining ability to hold conversations during exercise. Vanhaevermaet’s modified training approach appears appropriately calibrated toward maintaining fitness without excessive intensity.
Squad Maternity Developments Continue
Vanhaevermaet becomes another addition to Crystal Palace’s expanding maternal circumstances, with teammate Josie Green welcoming a daughter Thursday alongside partner Marcus Gan. That collective squad development demonstrates modern women’s football increasingly accommodating player parenthood while maintaining competitive standards.
This situation feels genuinely positive for women’s football’s evolving culture. Rather than forcing players into immediate retirement during pregnancy, Crystal Palace enable Vanhaevermaet to remain squad-involved while managing her health appropriately, suggesting genuine institutional support for players navigating life transitions alongside professional commitments.
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