Although as a fan, I appreciate the effort gone into the list- you need to realize that the list is too extensive. For a scout to give in a list like this, it would be ridiculous, the gaffa wouldn’t know where to start. The players should be organized by position and only put in realistic and quality players. There’s no use for putting in Kevin from the Sunday League because his contract is ending and he scored 20 goals last season. The lists have to be compressed. As a wiseman would say, quality over quantity. I appreciate your large knowledge but you have been looking too hard for contracts ending.
I would ideally want someone in that can come in on the cheap but I think there are more ways than just short contracts. For example, my target list would be the following:

Goalkeeper: Butland.
People may laugh but it would be the time to get him. Stoke are probably going to get relegated and why would we miss out on getting a potentially world class keeper. I highly rate him and I know we are getting Guiata in but Butland is a different class. I’ve watched Guaita in real life and he was quality but he’s getting a bit old and isn’t a international keeper. Butland is physical perfect for the position and seems to be mentally there, he also is extremely experienced. A keeper is needed but the chance shouldn’t be lost.

Center back: Philip Helander.
Most of you are going to go, who the f”@! is that guy? He is a tall Swedish defender that is currently playing for Torino. I’ve been watching him since he was 18 and am clueless why no one has snatched him up. He is also a real Hodgson signing- Swedish boy playing in Italy. I believe he is formally of Malmö too so probably knows of the legend himself.

Right back: No one.
This may be controversial but I don’t think we need anyone. Wan-Bissaka has been amazing and if we can keep hold of him we are going to be blessed for years. And having Kelly and Ward as decent cover, I don’t think we need anyone.

Midfielder: Max Power or John Bostock and Samson.
Before you slate me for the Bostock inclusion, hear me out. Ligue 2 player of the season, I know that isn’t a good league but I believe he would be a good squad player to have. I’ve never understood why there is so much hate for Bostock. Now onto Max Power, he is basically a mint McArthur. Never runs out of fuel, always runnin after the ball and is box to box. Although I wouldn’t start him, I believe what we need to do is add to the depth and keep the quality we have. And with Samson being added, we would be a lot better in that midfield area, Ligue 1 team of the season last year and still doing well. May be a bit costly but worth it.

Winger: Aarons or Boufal and Shaqiri or Philips.
Aarons is a young player that has potential to play at the top level and if palace are good at something, it’s nurturing wingers into world beaters. The next three are all probably getting relegated and will be looking to move. Boufal is ridiculous and we’ve needed someone like that on the left since Bolasie left. Loftus-Cheek has been good but he doesn’t have that palace touch to play on he left. Shaqiri is world class, I am baffled on why he ever moved to Stoke after Bayern. But, with Stoke being probably relegated he will want a move back to the top. We can offer him time week in, week out and pay him the wages he wants. As someone on the forum said, we lack left footed players and someone like this may send us flying up the table easily getting top 10 and potentially Europa League. We looked at Philips before he moved to West Brom and he has been decent and would add depth to the squad and isn’t a step down from Townsend. (The reason I put an “and” in the middle is as we need a left winger and a right winger.)

Striker: Rondon or Austin and Gayle or Bobby Reid.
I believe we need a target man to challenge Benteke in order to get the best out of him and I’ve always liked Rondon and respected him as a professional. He’s a big and strong player with a good finish and header but is a beast and would definitely be worth getting as West Brom get relegated. Austin is in for the same reason as Rondon. Rondon is ideal as Austin has injury problems and isn’t as good in my opinion. We also need someone else to play off the big man, someone that is pacey and has a good finish. I questioned why we got rid of Gayle as he was good and now I believe he would be an ideal fit. Bobby Reid has had a good season this year with an impressive 17 goals in the championship. He would be very effective working off a big striker like Benteke.

Punt for the future: Josh Harrop.
What ever happened to Josh Harrop? One game and got a goal and an assist vs us with Manchester United. In the summer he was sold to Preston North end. Not loaned, sold. Why weren’t we in for him? He was comfortable on the ball and looked like a gem in that mediocre Manchester side. I’d love to get him in and have him on the bend on in the under 23 squad for a season or two. Looked like a world beater.

Although this list is extensive, it is talking about why we should get the players. It is compact and aimed specifically to the player Palace should be getting and not all over the place. Cheers for reading. This isn’t being a knob, I’m trying to help you out with your list as I can tell you put time and effort into your list and if put in the right format is a lot more beneficial for you and us, the fans.

This post has been merged from a topic called 'Players to Keep or Release' by Midlands Eagle

I disagree with many of the conclusions in the article posted. My thoughts:

Julian Speroni

Yes, a club legend. But we have to get younger here. Verdict: Release, but make a coach.

Wayne Hennessey

Guaita, coming in will give him a challenge. Keep him, as I believe him to be a useful #1 or #2 keeper
Verdict: Keep (but see below).

Diego Cavalieri

Not sure what he offers. He's older, but maybe he's substantially cheaper. Haven't enough info to make a really informed decision, but...
Verdict: Release, if you keep Hennessey, otherwise Keep.

Martin Kelly

Showed this year he's a very useful backup center back. Not the first choice on the sheet, but probably our #1 backup.
Verdict: Keep.

Damien Delaney
Sorry to say this, but he's way past his prime. The only reason he's on the bench recently is Wardy and Dann are out. At least one will be back.
Verdict: Release

Joel Ward

Probably won't win back the right back role from Wan-Bikassa, but an experienced back who has played a variety of positions at the back.
Verdict: Keep.

Yohan Cabaye

He may not be able to play 90 minutes week in and week out, but still the best controlling midfielder we have. Very accurate passing. Our attacks almost always starts with him.
Verdict: Keep

James McArthur

I agree with the poster 100% on this. Palace would do well to keep him in the red and blue.
Verdict: Keep.

Lee Chung-yong

He's never going to get a serious run of games, bar a major injury crisis in midfield. Controls the ball well, but weak on defence, gets pushed off too much. The best thing for him and us is for him to move on. Verdict: Release.

Bakary Sako

I've never been a big fan of his, thought he was lazy and relied too much on one play (cut to the middle and shoot with his left. Then Hodgson came in and transformed him. If he can play next year like he did this, he's a great asset to have.
Verdict: Keep.

This post has been merged from a topic called 'Players to Keep or Release' by Midlands Eagle

This is frequently suggested, but as far as I'm aware, he has no coaching badges and has expressed no interest in such a role. More importantly we only appointed Dean Kiely in January, who has the relevant experience and was the manager's choice.

Bexley Dave

Can you hear the Brighton sing? I can't hear a ******* thing!

"The most arrogant, obnoxious bunch of deluded little sun tanned, loafer wearing mummy's boys I've ever had the misfortune of having to listen to" (Burnley forum)

Yes he has expressed an interest and was going to do his badges last summer but put it off and might do them this summer.

Watch his interview on FYP from 3-4 weeks ago.

you can't release them all considering the transfer fees to replace all of them. can't afford it. we'll be forced to resign many of them.

YC - will be if he wants to stay.
kelly and ward - def need to be retained.
WH - of course SP will retain him. simply for the cost since he's already paying for the spaniard.
sakho - why not? he's not going to get other PL offers. shown he can do a job.
speroni - again, why not have him 3rd keeper? he doesn't cost much and the only other option is signing a transfer.
CYL - gets back to the championship where he belongs.

I suspect that the retained/released players list will more than likely be determined by which division we are playing in next season.

Edited by Willo (06 Apr 2018 8.59am)