Crystal Palace still have a lot of work to do in the transfer market before Pierre Sage embarks on the 2026/27 campaign.
The Daily Mail revealed on July 1st that the Eagles indicated to the media ‘they have learnt from last summer’s mistakes’ – in which not enough business was done to handle a season of European football.
Only Walter Benitez, Yeremy Pino, Christantus Uche, Borna Sosa and Jaydee Canvot were signed – as Eberechi Eze left for Arsenal.
While Crystal Palace did go on to win the UEFA Conference League, there was a disappointing 15th-place finish in the Premier League, while the Eagles also failed to defeat Macclesfield in the third round of the FA Cup.
At this moment in time, only Oscar Mingueza has been signed – who does not exactly add to the squad considering Maxence Lacroix is leaving for Chelsea.
Lacroix to Chelsea is IMMINENT 🚨
Thoughts, Palace fans? 🤔
The reality is that Steve Parish and Matt Hobbs will have to do a lot more for Sage between now and the end of August, with the Frenchman potentially needing to tackle a total of 67 games in all competitions next term.
Breaking down Crystal Palace’s potential 2026/27 campaign
Premier League
As per usual, there will be 38 games on the schedule for Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
UEFA Europa League
Crystal Palace have two additional league phase matches to contend with in the UEFA Europa League this season compared to the UEFA Conference League – which only had six league phase games.
In the knockout stage, there is scope for the Eagles to play another nine games on top of those eight league phase matches.
There could be two Round of 32 matches to play, then another two each in the Round of 16, the quarter-final and the semi-final, before a potential final in Frankfurt.
So, Crystal Palace – who get to wear a special sleeve badge in Europe – could end up playing a total of 17 games in the UEFA Europa League this season.
FA Cup
The FA Cup holds another six potential games for Crystal Palace.
There will definitely be one FA Cup match for the Eagles in the third round, the stage at which every Premier League side starts the competition, before another five possibly follow in the fourth round, fifth round, quarter-final, semi-final and final.
League Cup
The League Cup – commercially known as the Carabao Cup – presents a further six games for Crystal Palace if Sage takes us all the way.
Premier League clubs enter the League Cup in the second round, but those to have qualified for either the UEFA Champions League or the UEFA Europa League enter in the third round.
Including the fourth round, the quarter-final, the two-legged semi-final and the final, Crystal Palace therefore face a potential of six matches.
Total
With all of the above taken into account, Sage faces a maximum of 67 games in his first season in charge of the Eagles.
Even if the 47-year-old fails to progress past the first hurdle in any cup competition, there will still be 48 games to handle.
Crystal Palace played a total of 60 matches under Glasner last term but could not remain competitive enough to do anything of note in the Premier League – ultimately finishing 15th as previously mentioned.
Are you worried about our (lack of) transfer activity? 🤔
So, considering the squad has now become weaker through the departure of a key man in Lacroix, Hobbs has work to do in order to pad out the squad.
