Vieira pushing Crystal Palace to new heights

Time Stamp: March 26, 2022 8:04 AM

Following Crystal Palace’s FA Cup quarter-final victory over Everton on Sunday, Patrick Vieira said his side were going through an ‘exciting period’. He was speaking after a comprehensive 4-0 victory at Selhurst Park, and although the big story may well have been the Toffees’ latest collapse after a positive start to the game, Palace’s ability to stay calm and gradually assume control while playing a brand of football nobody thought would have thought possible a year ago is testament to their development under the Frenchman.

 

They played on the front foot, full of pace and purpose; it was a world away from the low block, counter-attacking ideology Vieira picked up from Roy Hodgson in the summer. For him to have given the Eagles more attacking outlets after years of over-reliance on Wilfried Zaha, allowing him to work on his own game with less scrutiny than at any point in the last 10 years, is not getting the credit it deserves. While everybody rightly talks about West Ham’s push for a second season in Europe, and Wolves’ growth under Bruno Lage, what Palace have achieved under Vieira could arguably be even greater considering the circumstances.

 

When Hodgson left, he did so with an ageing squad full of players running down their contracts in his wake. Because the Premier League is so competitive, often standing still meant going backwards; it was popular belief that Palace would do well to avoid relegation, even before hiring a manager with no experience at that level in Vieira. But he’s proven his point with unbelievably shrewd business, avoiding spending huge amounts and instead being smart with the Championship and loan markets, and utilising the leadership skills which gave him his name as a player. There is certainly a case to be made for him winning Manager of the Year, particularly if Palace can spring a surprise on Chelsea in the semi finals at Wembley next month.

 

But the most pertinent example of their recognition means three of their key players will be playing there even sooner. Conor Gallagher, a Chelsea loanee who has gone from strength to strength this summer, and Marc Guehi, who joined permanently from the Blues in the summer, had already been selected, before fullback Tyrick Mitchell was called up later on. Even Gallagher’s involvement is filled with novelty, but Guehi and Mitchell could each make their debuts, validating the buzz around Palace at the moment.

 

It is easy to point the finger straight at Everton for the manner of their defeat last weekend; the narrative around them is troubling, especially in the wake of a timely, if perhaps somewhat fortunate, win over Newcastle just days earlier. Frank Lampard was publicly critical of his players and they were outclassed throughout. But a lot of that is down to Palace and the work they did, particularly through Gallagher at the base of the midfield. He dominated the tempo and Everton simply had nothing in response.

 

Gareth Southgate must have his eye on another potential call-up in the Palace ranks, and the return from injury for Eberechi Eze was extremely timely. Then came Michael Olise, arguably the biggest difference maker this season; he’s done the hard yards as a youngster, joining the club from Reading in the summer for £8m. Now, that looks a steal; his value may well have increased five times in his short spell, with rumours of interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs. His direct running and close control has helped add another dimension to Palace’s attacking threat; Sunday was an exciting moment because of the way Eze slotted in next to the pair, supplying ammunition to Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was ruthless up front.

 

But in Mitchell, Guehi, Gallagher, Olise, Eze and Zaha, Vieira has a spine who honed their skills in London. In the three attackers particularly, there is a bravery and an excitement that they bring to Palace’s play, and it has paid off. Coaching is one thing, but allowing expression is what has allowed them to thrive.

 

Lee Carsley, England’s under-21s boss, recently stated he earmarked 20-year-old Olise for a call up, only for him to pledge allegiance to France. Zaha is of course a regular for Ivory Coast; but this shift in mentality, both in terms of tactics and generally allowing players to express themselves, is already benefitting Palace. With three players being selected for the national team, it seems England could be about to follow suit; that is after the emergence of the likes of Jadon Sancho and Raheem Sterling, too.

 

This cultural shift is exciting; England are operating differently. But Vieira and Palace have tapped into it, too; he’s already said it, these are heady days for the club. London has been a hotbed for talent for years, and it is pushing the club to new heights. How far can they go?

The post Vieira pushing Crystal Palace to new heights appeared first on Colossus Blog.

Time Stamp:

More from Colossus