An immovable object in Roy Hodgson’s plans at Crystal Palace, Joachim Andersen has come a long way from his Sampdoria days.
It was with the Serie A side that he started catching the eye of Premier League clubs, but was eventually signed by Lyon for €24m, where he only lasted a year before heading to Fulham on loan.
That’s when Crystal Palace managed to get a good look at him, eventually signing him for €17.5m in 2021, but it was in Italy that he learned his trade, as he recalls in an interview with Gianluca Di Marzio’s website.
He moved to Sampdoria in 2017 from FC Twente for €1.75m, and was sold just two years later to the Ligue 1 side, learning from Marco Giampaolo along the way.
He then lauded Giampaolo as his best manager in terms of what he was able to soak in from him.
The Crystal Palace defender said: “Coach Giampaolo was my mentor. He taught me everything in the defensive phase, improving me as a player. He is without a shadow of a doubt the manager I learned the most from. He’s a fantastic manager to whom I owe so much.
“He’s without a team right now, but I wish him a return to the bench soon. And, who knows? Maybe one day we’ll work together again.”
The 27-year-old has made 23 appearances in all competitions for Crystal Palace this season, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
