Crystal Palace midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate says he has been left amazed by the quality of manager Patrick Vieira, branding the Frenchman “one of the best I have seen”.
Vieira’s appointment following Roy Hodgson’s departure at the end of last season was not universally popular but the Arsenal legend has transformed the south London side in his first season in charge.
The former Nice boss has installed a far more attacking football philosophy and worked wonders with young players such as Conor Gallagher, Michael Olise and Marc Guehi.
After a summer of major overhaul in the playing squad, some commentators had the Eagles down as relegation candidates but they have never been troubled by the threat of the drop and currently sit 13th, having also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup before losing to Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday.
“I don’t know who said that [Palace could get relegated], but they are so wrong. Because you need to know that [Vieira] is a very clever guy, a very good person,” Kouyate told the club website.
“I’m in football for 15 years, and he is one of the best I have seen.
“You see how we play tactically – he knows everything. Every time we play against one team, he knows what they are going to do. He knows what way we are going to play.
“I say: ‘How does he do that?’ Every time we are on the field, it is more easy for us. We play together, as a team.
“He tells us what we are going to do, and this is easier for all the players who are going to play the game. Any XI, they can play because it is easy for us.
“I don’t know how he does it… but in some years [he and Crystal Palace] are going to be on a different level.
“This guy is unbelievable, a very good manager. He also has good staff. He decides everything.
“This is why we are so sad that we don’t go to the [FA Cup] final to win this cup for him, because he deserves it.”
