When Selhurst Park erupts, there’s no better place in the Premier League. The thunderous chorus of ‘Glad All Over,’ the swaying stands, and the raw passion of the Crystal Palace faithful create an atmosphere that can inspire a team to punch well above its weight. For much of the 2023/24 season, that iconic noise was muted, replaced by a murmur of discontent as the Eagles floundered under Roy Hodgson. Then, everything changed with the arrival of Oliver Glasner. This Baji analysis dives deep into the Austrian’s transformative impact and whether the South London club can carry this electric momentum into the new campaign.
The Glasner Effect: A Tactical Masterclass Unfolds
It wasn’t an instant fix. Adapting to the relentless pace of the Premier League requires time, a luxury rarely afforded to modern managers. Oliver Glasner, however, was given just enough rope to implement his philosophy, and the payoff was nothing short of spectacular. As Austrian football expert Philipp Hinze noted, “He is an under-rated coach, a mastermind tactically with his own unique mind.”
After a brief settling-in period, Glasner’s methods clicked into place with devastating effect. The final seven games of the season yielded six wins and one draw, a run that included statement victories over giants like Liverpool and Manchester United. The team that once looked nervously over its shoulder at the relegation zone finished the season with the swagger of European contenders.
The statistics from his 13-game tenure are telling. Compared to the 25 games prior, Glasner’s Palace scored more goals, created more big chances, and matched the clean sheet tally—all achieved while their defensive linchpin, Marc Guehi, was sidelined with injury. They attacked with a purpose and creativity that had been sorely missing, a testament to the manager’s system.
Jean-Philippe Mateta: From Squad Player to Superstar
If one player embodies the Glasner revolution, it is Jean-Philippe Mateta. Once considered a useful but inconsistent impact substitute, the French striker underwent a metamorphosis. In Glasner’s 13 games, he netted 13 league goals—more than he had scored under both Roy Hodgson and Patrick Vieira combined.
His blistering form, featuring back-to-back doubles and a final-day hat-trick against Aston Villa, didn’t stop when the Premier League season concluded. He carried that confidence straight to the Paris 2024 Olympics, bagging five goals to fire France to a silver medal and proving that football is a game played as much in the mind as with the feet.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s iconic corner flag celebration became a familiar sight during his incredible goal-scoring run, analyzed here on Baji.
Glasner himself pinpointed the reason for this surge, telling Baji sources in April: “When strikers score and have confidence, their decision-making is better. He gets chances in every game and makes excellent runs. He is investing a lot and is really hard-working.” Returning to Selhurst Park after a summer coached by Thierry Henry, one of the game’s greatest strikers, Mateta looks poised to pick up right where he left off.
Navigating the Transfer Window: Challenges and Opportunities
The biggest threat to Palace’s momentum isn’t a rival team; it’s the transfer window. The euphoria of the season’s end was quickly tempered by the reality of a club that excels at developing top talent. The first major departure was electric winger Michael Olise, who completed a big-money move to Bayern Munich.
The concern for Palace fans is that he may not be the last. Eberechi Eze, the other half of Palace’s potent creative duo, has attracted admiring glances from top clubs, and a lucrative offer could test the board’s resolve. Furthermore, Marc Guehi’s stellar performances at Euro 2024 placed him firmly in the shop window, with Newcastle and Liverpool known admirers.
The club has been proactive. The signing of Ismaila Sarr adds pace and directness to the wings, while defender Chadi Riad was brought in from Barcelona to bolster the backline. Intriguingly, talks have even been held over a sensational return for club legend Wilfried Zaha. However, as one Baji transfer insider noted, “Palace’s model has always been about identifying the next young star, not looking to the past. The success of Adam Wharton, who went from Blackburn to the England Euro 2024 squad in months, is the blueprint.”
Baji Verdict: What Lies Ahead for the Eagles?
There is a palpable sense of cautious optimism around Selhurst Park. The club has a elite, forward-thinking coach in Oliver Glasner who has already proven he can get this squad performing at an exceptionally high level. The pre-season preparations have been positive, but the true test begins now.
Relegation battles must be a thing of the past. The ambition for this Crystal Palace side should be a comfortable top-half finish and a serious push in the cup competitions. The opening fixture away to Brentford will provide an immediate indicator of whether the Glasner glow has endured the summer of change.
Crystal Palace’s Glasner Revolution: How Baji Sees the Eagles Soaring in 2024/25 hinges on retaining its core identity while seamlessly integrating new faces. The loss of Olise is a blow, but Glasner’s tactical intelligence and the proven goalscoring form of Mateta provide a solid foundation. If they can navigate the remainder of the transfer window wisely, the Eagles might just be ready to soar higher than ever before.
What are your predictions for Palace this season? Can they break into the top ten? Share your thoughts with the Baji community below
