Crystal Palace

Exclusive: Pundit admits he expected Vieira to struggle at Crystal Palace

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Image for Exclusive: Pundit admits he expected Vieira to struggle at Crystal Palace

Former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer has told This Is Futbol that he thought Patrick Vieira was going to struggle at Crystal Palace this season.

Vieira was named Palace boss in the summer but did not seem to be the club’s first choice.

Prior to his arrival, both Lucien Favre and Nuno Espirito Santo had been the leading candidates for the job before things collapsed.

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It may have been a blessing in disguise, though, with Vieira since coming in and enjoying some early success at the Eagles, who have managed to beat Premier League champions Manchester City under his tutelage. And it is something Palmer did not see coming.

I’m really delighted for Patrick and the way things are going at Crystal Palace for him,” the ex-Leeds and Southampton star said to TIF. “I thought he was going to struggle.

“I thought Roy Hodgson had done a fantastic job. Every man and his dog turned down the club because there wasn’t funds available.”

Part of Vieira’s good start to life as Palace boss has undoubtedly been down to his signings, which includes Conor Gallagher – instrumental in that win over City with his killer goal.

The midfielder, on loan from Chelsea, has really impressed this season, even catching the eye of England manager Gareth Southgate, who recently handed him his first senior cap.

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