Patrick Vieira is being backed to keep progressing with Crystal Palace after an impressive first season with the Eagles.
The former Arsenal midfielder joined Palace last summer as he took on his first role in Premier League management, with the Eagles performing well in his first campaign in charge after a rebuild following the change from Roy Hodgson's time at the helm.
Palace finished 12th in the Premier League last term as they ended the campaign with 48 points and a goal difference of +4, with the Eagles earning some impressive results along the way, including taking four points off champions Manchester City and beating the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United at Selhurst Park.
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And former Palace winger Wayne Routledge thinks his old side can kick on again as he gave his verdict on the job Vieira and the Eagles board have done in recent years to progress the club, while the Eagles have brought in several signings so far this summer, including goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and winger Malcolm Ebiowei on free transfers, midfielder Cheick Doucoure from Lens and central defender Chris Richards from Bayern Munich.
Speaking to BETDAQ, Routledge said: "Honestly I do think they will push on again. The work done behind the scenes at Palace has been phenomenal. They’ve opened an unbelievable academy which will allow them to progress on the field as well as off it. The catchment area of south London as a whole is incredible with the talent that’s there, so if they can keep hold of it then it will supply the team for a long time.
"If you look at the business they do with the likes of Michael Olise and Marc Guehi, they are very proactive and very astute with their buys and that’s only continued this year. So I do see them progressing, even if it’s a subtle progression there’s still going to be a progression. As long as that academy system keeps supplying players for the next few years I do see them on the climb.
"I do think they can get into the top ten this year. I don’t know if the hierarchy see it that plain and simple but I think last year was a transition from the way Roy Hodgson played to the way that Patrick Vieira wants to go about his business. I think the team as a whole functions well.
"Obviously Conor Gallagher is going to be a big loss with all his energy and his high intensity that he brings them but I’m sure they’ll replace him in other areas and other aspects. I do expect them to progress this year and be a stronger, more astute team as a whole with more depth as well."
Crystal Palace start the new season with the visit of Arsenal to Selhurst Park next Friday (August 5), with that being the opening game of the new Premier League campaign.
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