Napoli midfielder Franck Zambo Anguissa has revealed Patrick Vieira wanted to sign him for Crystal Palace, and hinted he may have accepted the move because of the Frenchman.
Corriere dello Sport cover comments from the midfielder today after he spoke on Radio CRC ahead of the clash with Vieira and his Genoa side on Saturday.
Anguissa has been with Napoli since August 2021, initially joining on loan from Fulham before joining them on a permanent basis in July the following year.
He arrived after impressing for both Fulham and Villarreal previously, spending a season on loan with the Spanish side after initially struggling at Craven Cottage after arriving in a €24.85m deal in August 2018.
He’s been a key play in Naples since his arrival with seven goals and 14 assists in 134 appearances so far and a starring role under current manager Antonio Conte.
This weekend sees him and his team taking on Genoa, currently led by Patrick Vieira, who took charge earlier this season after Alberto Gilardino’s sacking.
That gives Anguissa a chance to come up against a manager who was in London at the same time as him and, it seems, wanted to sign him for Crystal Palace too.
“I really like him as a man, we also saw each other in London,” he said.
“He was the manager of Crystal Palace, and he wanted me there. I like talking to him, because he has many ideas, he is a good coach.
“I like him a lot from a human point of view. It will be a pleasure to see him again on the Genoa bench, but I hope, however, that we will win.”
