Vieira promotes 18-year-old Irish-Nigerian defender to Eagles first team training pre-Chelsea

Published: April 14, 2022

Crystal Palace have stepped up preparations for the Emirates FA Cup semifinal clash against Chelsea at Wembley this coming Sunday.

Republic of Ireland youth teamer of Nigerian descent Tayo Adaramola was among the academy stars promoted to first team training by Eagles boss Patrick Vieira.

The pre-FA Cup training was held at Copers Cope Road, with Viera and his assistants putting Adaramola and the first teamers through their paces.

Aside from Adaramola, former Super Eagles invitee Eberechi Eze should be available for selection but Vieira is sweating over the fitness of another Nigeria target in Michael Olise, who has not played for the London club since sustaining a foot injury on international duty with the France U21s in March.

The 18-year-old Adaramola is knocking on Crystal Palace's first team door and Vieira has a soft spot for the left-back, handing him his professional debut off the bench against Hartlepool United in the fourth round of the FA Cup and a full debut in the following round against Stoke City.

The Irish-Nigerian was on the bench in Palace's last meeting with Chelsea in the Premier League on February 19, 2022.

Crystal Palace have progressed to the final of the FA Cup on two of the last three occasions they have reached the semifinals, most recently in the 2015-2016 campaign.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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