Crystal Palace fell to yet another defeat on Monday night as Chelsea stole all three points from Roy Hodgson.
Jefferson Lerma may have scored a thunderous goal for Crystal Palace to open the evening, but Chelsea responded with three second-half strikes.
This included two 90-minute-plus goals to win the game, taking away what would’ve been a vital point for Palace.
One man who needed the point more than anyone was Roy Hodgson who is under immense pressure.
But before a ball was even kicked last night, Jamie Carragher was discussing Palace and the huge mistake they made in 2023.
Jamie Carragher slams costly Crystal Palace decision
Speaking on Sky Sports‘ Monday Night Football prior to the game, Carragher explained his view on Palace and particularly how damaging the re-appointment of Hodgson was last year, amid talk of him being under pressure as replacements are considered.
“It feels like the club is happy to almost be like that mid-table club, they always get between 41 and 49 points every season,” he explained.
“But the fact that they brought Roy Hodgson in, I think, for the third time if you like. So he came in at the end of last season, he did a great job and the fact that they’ve kept a manager that they moved on two or three years ago.”
Carragher then continued to explain that clubs around Palace have appointed exciting coaches and so keeping Hodgson was an awful decision which was always going to frustrate fans.
“They’re looking at Brighton bringing [Roberto] De Zerbi in, they’re looking at Bournemouth bringing [Andoni] Iraola in, you look at [Julen] Lopetegui coming in at Wolves, that shows a club is looking to the future, they’ve got a vision so I can understand the frustration to go back to a manager in his mid-70s… I get where that frustration comes from because it seems like they’re just happy to sit where they are.”
The next managerial appointment from Palace must be spot on
Whenever Hodgson goes, whether that be soon or just in May, the replacement needs to be the right choice for Palace.
There are several young and exciting coaches currently who could thrive with the talented side Palace is building.
Think of Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick in the Championship or more experienced coaches like Steve Cooper or Julen Lopetegui. They’re all available for varying reasons and have been linked with the job.
This appointment could either see Palace thrive and become established as a side pushing for the Conference League or falter and battle relegation for the foreseeable.
