Sunday People

Vieira: Spend and I’ll get Eagles flying high

- By CHRIS MCKENNA

PATRICK VIEIRA wants Crystal Palace to splash some cash this summer if they hope to improve further.

The Eagles host Manchester United today in their final Premier League outing of the campaign. And Vieira, who has changed the style of football at Selhurst Park after replacing

Roy

Hodgson last year, is looking to lift the Eagles higher next season.

Palace sit just a place and a point better off than they finished in 2020-21.

Vieira said: “The base, I

believe, is there. But, of course, we will have to improve the squad.

“We will have to analyse the season and see which part of the game we need to improve because what we want is

to get better every year.

“To boost the team, we will have to bring the right players to allow ourselves to be more competitiv­e.”

Vieira and Palace did spend last summer, with Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen, Odsonne Edouard, Jean-philippe Mateta, Michael Olise and Will Hughes all arriving.

That was further added to by the loan signing of Conor Gallagher, who will return to Chelsea this summer.

Former New York City and Nice boss Vieira reckons he has improved himself over the course of his debut season as a Premier League manager.

He said: “Yes, but I believe, as a coach, you are learning every game and every season.

“Obviously, my first season in England has been challengin­g, but I learned a lot – about the team and about the Premier League and how tough it can be.

“Myself and the staff will be even better next year.”

Palace host United today, looking to stop Ralf Rangnick’s side reaching the Europa League.

But Vieira also wants Palace to finish on a high after blowing a two-goal lead against Everton on Thursday night.

He added: “It’s a home game and, when you are looking at the support we have had this year, it has been fantastic.

“If any fans deserve a really good performanc­e, then it is our fans.

“I don’t doubt we will be at our best.”

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 ?? ?? PALACE JEWELS Patrick Vieira and Wilfried Zaha
PALACE JEWELS Patrick Vieira and Wilfried Zaha

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