Crystal Palace are in a managerial transition for the 2026/27 Premier League season, with Pierre Sage taking control after Oliver Glasner’s departure.
The Eagles balanced a demanding domestic campaign with a historic European run last term, securing the Conference League trophy to earn qualification for the Europa League despite finishing 15th in the table.
Oliver Glasner’s departure at the end of the season paved the way for French tactician Pierre Sage, whose trophy-winning stint at Lens earned him a three-year contract at Selhurst Park.
With fresh investment in the squad and another European campaign on the horizon, Palace will be targeting a return to the top half of the division.
Below you’ll find all the Crystal Palace stats for the upcoming 2026/27 Premier League season, including their transfer business, details of their key players, and what Pierre Sage can bring to the table tactically.
Crystal Palace opening fixtures 2026/27 Premier League
Pierre Sage’s tenure begins on the road as Palace visit Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on the opening Saturday of the new season. Then the Eagles welcome champions Manchester City to Selhurst Park for their first home match of the campaign. Palace travel across London to Craven Cottage to face Fulham a week later, before returning home to host newly-promoted Ipswich Town. Their opening fixtures wrap up with a trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United.
| Date | Opponent | Kick-off |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 22nd August | Everton (A) | 3pm |
| Saturday 29th August | Manchester City (H) | 8pm |
| Saturday 5th September | Fulham (A) | 3pm |
| Saturday 12th September | Ipswich Town (H) | 3pm |
| Saturday 19th September | Leeds United (A) | 3pm |
Crystal Palace’s key players for 2026/27 Premier League
Crystal Palace top Premier League Golden Boot contender: Jean-Philippe Mateta
- Key stat: Mateta scored 12 Premier League goals for Crystal Palace last season.
The French striker remains the focal point of Palace’s frontline entering the new campaign. Mateta led the club’s scoring in the top flight last term, providing an aerial presence and holding up play effectively to spearhead the Eagles’ attack despite Jorgen Strand Larsen arriving from Wolves in January.
Crystal Palace primary playmaker: Adam Wharton
- Key stat: Wharton registered 5 assists for Crystal Palace in the Premier League last season.
Wharton has established himself as the heartbeat of this team. Operating from deep-lying and central areas, Wharton created 44 chances and provided five assists, orchestrating play through his progressive passing and vision. If Palace hold on to him for at least another season – which it appears as though they will – he can grow into an even stronger creative influence.
Crystal Palace card magnet and top tackler: Tyrick Mitchell
- Key stat: Mitchell led Crystal Palace with 102 tackles in the Premier League last season.
The dependable left-back was the defensive cornerstone of the Palace backline. Mitchell topped the squad’s tackling charts by completing over a century of successful tackles, while also picking up six yellow cards during a heavy defensive workload.
Crystal Palace rising star: Jaydee Canvot
The 20-year-old central defender continues his development following his arrival from Toulouse. Combining physical composure with strong aerial capability, Canvot is primed for an increased role in Pierre Sage’s defence this season.
Crystal Palace 2026 summer transfers
Palace have focused on shrewd recruitment ahead of another European campaign. The Eagles completed free transfers for experienced Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu and Spanish full-back Oscar Mingueza. The Eagles also completed a high-profile straight swap deal with Everton. Brennan Johnson departed for Goodison Park after just seven months in South London, with long-term target Dwight McNeil finally making his move to Selhurst Park on a four-year deal.
Outgoings were headlined by the sale of French centre-back Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea for £50m, while veteran defender Nathaniel Clyne was released.
| Incomings | Outgoings |
|---|---|
| Takehiro Tomiyasu (from Arsenal) | Maxence Lacroix (to Chelsea) |
| Oscar Mingueza (from Celta Vigo) | Danny Imray (to Wrexham) |
| Dwight McNeil (from Everton) | Brennan Johnson (to Everton) |
| Owen Goodman (loan to Dundee) |
Crystal Palace tactical analysis and formation
Crystal Palace’s team stats (average per game in 2025/26 Premier League)
- Corners: 4.89
- Shots on target: 4.12
- Shots on target conceded: 4.65
- Offsides: 1.68
Pierre Sage favours an adaptable 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 setup structured around positional fluidness and vertical ball progression. Having built a high-scoring unit during his time in France, Sage focuses on controlling the central areas before releasing dynamic wide attackers quickly.
In possession, Adam Wharton will act as the deep-lying orchestrator, dictating the tempo and spraying passes out to full-backs pushing into high positions. Out of possession, Sage demands an organised mid-block that converts into structured pressing triggers in the middle third to force high turnovers.
Crystal Palace manager analysis
Pierre Sage arrived at Selhurst Park in June 2026 after leading Lens to Coupe de France success and Champions League qualification. His coaching trajectory saw him transform Lens into one of the most dynamic attacking sides in French football before moving to South London.
Sage inherits a team accustomed to cup success following their Conference League triumph, and his appointment aligns with Palace’s commitment to modern, tactical football. Entrusted with improving their league form alongside managing European commitments, Sage represents a forward-thinking hire for the Eagles.
| Manager | Team | P | W | D | L | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierre Sage | Crystal Palace | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |