Unflinching Patrick Vieira has gone public over his Odsonne Edouard concerns before telling the Crystal Palace striker I want more from you.
The former Celtic star has struggled for a regular starting berth this season with Jean-Phillipe Mateta favoured in recent matches. And now the Arsenal legend has revealed it's because he thinks the £15m striker can do more and he hopes his stint on the bench lights a fire under a player who has managed 11 goals in 55 appearances for the Eagles. And he pulled no punches as he told France's record U21 goalscorer he must find a spark from within after being banished from the bench.
Palace boss Vieira - speaking ahead of his side's clash with Aston Vila – said: “I hope he’s getting frustrated. I want more from Edouard – he can be a really important player for us. I want more from him. I hope that not starting the last couple of games hurts him and he shows more.”
Vieira has plumped for imposing Mateta despite no goals in over 600 minutes as he hinted Edouard needed to match his team-mate's work ethic. He added: “It’s what we needed at the moment. JP’s work ethic, with the way the team is defending from the front, allows us to be more solid, especially at the back. He brings us physicality and energy. His work out of possession has been fantastic for the team.”
“It’s just about confidence. Of course, when strikers don’t score, they start to doubt themselves, but the message has been clear to him (Mateta) and the strikers – there is no doubt in my mind about the quality of the players that we have. Any other day, of course, with a little bit of luck, he scores those goals.
“It’s important that he keeps working and practising in training to allow him to rebuild this kind of belief. I’m happy with what he gives to the team in the last three games.”
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