Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira says he is happy to see Leeds United player Jack Harrison thriving in the Premier League after leaving the MLS. Speaking about the journey Harrison has been on since his New York days, Vieira said of the 25-year-old: “I’m really pleased with how well he has been doing since leaving the MLS.
Patrick Vieira said “He’s a really talented young player who just needed to find the right place to play and to challenge himself because his work ethic is one of the best in the game. He is always wanting to improve his commitment to the game. It’s fantastic and working with him in New York was really enjoyable.”
Asked whether there was anybody in the current Crystal Palace squad who reminded Vieira of Harrison, the Eagles boss said Conor Gallagher’s work rate made him stand out.
Patrick Vieira said “In personality and their character and the way they are on the field, I would say Conor. They’ve [both] got this kind of energy. They love working for the team, they love the game, they love football. They’re always working hard for the team and these are the kinds of players with a big heart.”
Crystal Palace travel to Elland Road on Tuesday evening to take on Leeds United. They will have to do so without the presence of influential centre-back Joachim Andersen, however, with Vieira confirming on Monday that the defender’s hamstring injury meant he would not be travelling with the squad. Vieira was Harrison’s manager at New York City and handed him his senior debut in 2016, with the Eagles boss having previously spoken glowingly about the potential of the now 25-year-old winger. The Leeds man has said in the past that Vieira’s open-door policy at New York helped him develop quickly as a player, as he would regularly seek the Frenchman’s advice on a range of topics. When Harrison eventually left New York in 2018, it was to join Manchester City and then Middlesbrough on loan. Three further loans, all at Leeds United, followed, with Harrison scoring eight goals in his first Premier League campaign before signing for Marcelo Bielsa’s side on a permanent transfer this summer for around £11million.
