---
title: "Regional Digest: Why Roy Hodgson should lean towards 4-2-3-1 if Wilfried Zaha leaves"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/regional-digest-why-roy-hodgson-should-lean-towards-4-2-3-1-if-wilfried-zaha-leaves/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Caleb Sage"
section: "Crystal Palace"
published: "2019-05-21T19:25:18Z"
modified: "2019-05-21T19:25:18Z"
---

# Regional Digest: Why Roy Hodgson should lean towards 4-2-3-1 if Wilfried Zaha leaves

**This season, Roy Hodgson has been very flexible at Crystal Palace when it has come to formations.\**

The Eagles boss has had no problem with using a 4-4-2 in one game, then a 4-3-3 in another.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Regional-Digest-London-South-B.png)

And it is something he is likely to continue doing in the next campaign, especially if he loses his talisman Wilfried Zaha, with a transfer to former club Manchester United currently being mooted ([The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/05/16/crystal-palace-demand-100m-wilfried-zaha-expresses-desire-leave/)).

Hodgson, however, should look towards using a 4-2-3-1 on a more permanent basis if Zaha does end up leaving Selhurst Park.

The Ivorian’s departure would almost certainly leave a creative void in Crystal Palace’s team, and switching to a formation such as the 4-2-3-1 might just be the thing that helps Hodgson to fill it.

Realistically, the Eagles are going to find it hard to find a like-for-like replacement for Zaha who is of equal ability.

Bearing that in mind, getting three attackers into the side behind a striker, which the 4-2-3-1 allows, may be the way to go.

In the likes of Andros Townsend and Max Meyer, Hodgson already has a couple of decent offensive options.

After using the Zaha money to reinforce that area, Hodgson could have the tools to field a very good three-man attack, one more capable of making up for the Ivory Coast international’s loss than a sole like-for-like replacement.

As far as life after Zaha goes, 4-2-3-1 could just be what Crystal Palace need to get by.

***Crystal Palace fans, how would you like to see your team line up next season? Join the discussion by commenting below.***