Ghanaian duo Jordan Ayew and Jeffery Schlupp’s Crystal Palace begin their preparations for the 2021/22 season as they take on League two side Walsall at Banks’s stadium on Saturday, 17th July, 2021.
Patrick Vieira will take his place in the Palace dugout for the first time against Walsall, since his appointment as manager of the club almost two weeks ago.
Ready for our first pre-season test tomorrow 💥#CPFC | https://t.co/utMcYSDkhb pic.twitter.com/HWNjTLZdSH
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) July 16, 2021
Immediately after the end of the European Championships, the Eagles began preparations for the new campaign under the Frenchman with a week-long training camp at St Georges’ Park.
The Saddlers will be the first test for Palace since rounding off the 2020/21 campaign with a 14th-place finish – with their final game against Liverpool coming 56 days ago.
But the south Londoners won’t be the only side welcoming a former Premier League midfielder to their dugout in this clash, with ex-Portsmouth, West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers man Matthew Taylor having taken charge at Banks’s stadium this summer.
Since Taylor’s appointment the Saddlers have made a number of changes to their side, with nine new signings so far.
The League Two outfit finished 11th last season and have already begun their preparations for their 21/22 campaign. A Walsall XI side composed mainly of youth prospects and trialists lost 3-1 and 4-0 to Leamington and Rushall respectively in the past week.