Patrick Vieira backing Eberechi Eze to be key player for Crystal Palace

Patrick Vieira demanded an end to comparisons between Conor Gallagher and Eberechi Eze, insisting the Eagles midfielder will not be stepping out of anyone’s shadow when Crystal Palace host Arsenal in the Premier League curtain-raiser.

Gallagher’s successful loan spell with Palace  in 2021/22 helped earn him international recognition with England before he returned to Chelsea this summer, leaving some concerned about how Vieira would cope without him.

Eze looked very much the potential solution in pre-season, appearing on top form after spending much of the last campaign getting his career back on track following an Achilles injury sustained in May 2021.

“The profile and the quality of those players are completely different,” said Vieira.

“I think [Eze] would be shining even if Conor was here. He went through a really difficult period with the injuries, but he finished the season quite well and has played the last couple of games since the start of pre-season.

“He’s been training every single day, so I believe he’s getting to his best and will be an important player for us.

“I don’t expect Ebs to give us what Conor gave us last year. They play in a different way. They have different strengths and it will be important for those players to play with their quality, and I believe that we can be as good as we were last year.”

Vieira has options when it comes to Friday’s starting XI, with Palace facing a revamped Arsenal side in a contest he believes will be “completely different” from their April meeting at Selhurst, which Palace won 3-0.

While Eze is likely to start against the Gunners, his manager urged patience as the team adjusts to life without Gallagher and while summer signings Cheick Doucoure, Malcolm Ebiowei, Chris