Odsonne Edouard silences post Celtic cynics at Crystal Palace as Patrick Vieira delivers emphatic striker verdict

Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has predicted Odsonne Edouard can become a top English Premier League marksman after a stuttering first season at the club.

The Frenchman left Celtic for a move to Selhurst Park in a deal worth up to £18.5 million with add-ons in the summer of 2022, but struggled for starts and goals in first top flight campaign south of the border producing a return of just six goals in all competitions. Edouard would endured a seven month goal drought in between a strike against Liverpool in January and netting in the Carabao Cup win over Oxford United, which saw several critics take aim at the frontman and Vieira's recruitment decision.

The 24-year-old is finally starting to silence his doubters having netted in the 2-1 win for Palace over Leeds United, having also scored in the defeat to Chelsea the weekend before. The marksman has started five of the Eagles eight Premier League fixtures so far this season and his gaffer reckons he is well on the way to being a top finisher south of the border.

Speaking after the victory over Leeds, Vieira was quizzed on if he thought Edouard was ready to lead the line regularly for Palace. He said: “I hope so.

“In the last couple of games that we played, he was really good for us with the way he linked the game and was dropping deeper and working really hard. He’s scoring goals, so that will build his confidence.

"Especially as a number nine, to play games, to believe in his ability, and try to bring that connection with the players around him. He was really good today.”

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