Last season Gayle often found himself second choice to the more experienced Chamakh and Cameron Jerome. However, after scoring 5 goals in a reserve game and a double off the bench against Liverpool, he was given the nod to start in the last game of the season against Fulham. An instinctive shot and pinpoint free kick helped secure a point for Palace and a double for Gayle making him Palace's top goalscorer this season with 8 goals in all competitions.
Manager Tony Pulis describes the transformation he has witnessed in Gayle since he took over in November, "When I first came into the club he looked as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. We've spent a lot of time working with him and opening him up as a person and as a player. He looks, or he is, a very, very good goalscorer. A good pre-season and I would expect Gayley to give us a good return next year."
The squad will head to Austria on July 14th and then to America in preparation for the new season. Gayle will be looking to carry his impressive form into the pre-season as he aims to front Palace's attack next season.