'Best Boss & Team in Palace History' - But Will It Be a Special Season?

With a top-four position, stellar players, and a brilliant manager, Palace are enjoying an unprecedented Premier League era.

Sunday's 2-1 triumph at Fulham, sealed by Marc Guehi's late goal, lifted Crystal Palace into the coveted Champions League places.

With 26 points from their first 15 games, a club best, Palace have firmly entered the conversation for a place in next season's Champions League.

Opening the scoring in his 50th game, Eddie Nketiah spoke of limitless potential, with manager Oliver Glasner also quick to applaud his squad's efforts.

"The pride I feel comes from a colossal collective effort from the entire team," stated the manager. "That's why we are where we are.

Yet, this praise follows closely on the heels of Glasner's frank critique of the club's lack of summer spending after a defeat to Manchester United.

The manager's deal is up in June, and the potential departures of vital figures such as Guehi and Wharton create a backdrop of apprehension.

Can Palace's ownership retain the manager responsible for this success? And can the team sustain this high level to genuinely craft a memorable season in south London?

'The Best Boss the Club Has Ever Had'

Oliver Glasner took charge at Palace in February 2024, building on successful tenures at Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 51-year-old has since guided the club to consecutive record Premier League points totals and delivered a first major trophy with an FA Cup victory over Manchester City last season.

That cup win led to a debut in European competition—albeit in the Europa Conference League due to regulations—and was followed by a Community Shield victory over champions Liverpool.

A prominent pundit remarked: "The current setup represents the pinnacle of managerial and playing talent the club has ever seen. Fans could never have dreamed of such success before his appointment."

Selhurst Park has become a formidable fortress, with the team remaining unbeaten there in the league this season until last weekend's defeat.

On their travels, the team's performances have arguably been superior.

In the period since he took over, Palace's away point tally is among the very best in the division.

The manager did not hesitate to express his disappointment with the club's transfer strategy after a key player was sold.

Every league game following a European match this term has ended in defeat, underscoring problems with roster size and fixture congestion.

Glasner pointedly stated the club had "squandered" the opportunity for an even better season by not spending. A pundit noted: "He is forthright in his criticism after poor results... The board likely has to tolerate it given his monumental status at the club."

'Squad Not Big Enough' to Handle the Demands

The manager's driving ambition is unmistakable.

His frustration with the thin roster is clear, and his words may be a strategic push for reinforcements in January.

His contract situation adds urgency, requiring the club's project to match his own to ensure continuity.

A former professional goalkeeper commented: "There's a major discussion around Glasner's contract... If you're a director you're trying to tie him down. The job he's done is phenomenal. His reaction to a defeat showed he feels unsupported. The board's actions in the near future will be crucial."

Guehi is another player out of contract soon, and speculation linking him with elite clubs will only intensify.

Playmaker Adam Wharton is similarly a man in high demand across the league.

Stars such as Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta will have their own ambitions of reaching the Champions League.

"The lack of size in the squad hampers rest and recovery. Achieving a European place would be fantastic, but the competition is fierce," the pundit added.

This Palace squad may be in its golden age, but it also stands on the precipice of potential breakup, with the risk that a stellar campaign could be undermined.