Vieira set to make Roberts his No.2 at Crystal Palace
PATRICK Vieira is reportedly set to make former Wales coach Osian Roberts his number two at Crystal Palace.
After weeks of speculation, including links with Swansea City boss Steve Cooper, Vieira was named the new Eagles boss over the weekend, signing a three-year deal at Selhurst Park.
And, according to The Sun, the Frenchman is a keen admirer of Roberts, who is currently director of football at the Moroccan FA, after previously working in the Wales set-up under Chris Coleman and Ryan Giggs.
Roberts is still under contract with Morocco, but reports claim he could well be tempted by a move to the Premier League.
Palace are also reportedly ready to hand Vieira, who undertook his coaching badges with the FAW, a transfer kitty of around £50m to rebuild the squad this summer ahead of the new season.
Speaking shortly after his appointment, the former Gunners midfielder said: “I am really excited to have this opportunity to return to the Premier League, and manage this great football club, as we begin a new chapter together.
“It is a project that is really appealing to me, having spoken a lot with the Chairman and Sporting Director about their ambition and plans for the whole club, including the Academy.
“The club has fantastic foundations in place after many years in the Premier League, and I hope we can make further improvements and continue to drive the club forward.
“I am also very excited to experience the atmosphere the club’s supporters make at Selhurst Park and away from home too, and I know just how important that can be for the team.”
Meanwhile, the Daily Express has also claimed that Wales international Wayne Hennessey could well be lined up for a shock move to Chelsea following his release by the Eagles.
Hennessey left the club after an eight-year spell, where he made 110 appearances in the Premier League, but fell down the pecking order in south London.
And Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel seemingly believes the player’s experience means he is ideally suited for injecting his squad with a strong back-up option between the sticks next season.