'He was doing well with U23s' - Eagles boss Vieira on why he handed debut to Irish-Nigerian starlet

Published: April 15, 2022

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has explained why he handed a professional debut to Tayo Adaramola during the FA Cup fourth round tie against Hartlepool United.

Adaramola stepped off the bench in the 86th minute as a replacement for Joel Ward in what was Viera's fifth substitution in a 2-0 win over the League Two side at Selhurst Park.

Aged 18, the Irish-Nigerian left-back convinced the legendary former Arsenal captain to name him in the squad to face Hartlepool United after standing out in the youth team of the Eagles.

Adaramola initially started the season with the U18s before earning a promotion to the U23s and he's now knocking on the first team door.

In a special message to Palace fans before the FA Cup semifinal clash against Chelsea, Vieira wrote : "I wanted to see Tayo Adaramola in the first-team, because he was doing really well with the Under-23s.

"This was a game where we could see his potential, and it gave us a chance to let Tyrick Mitchell recover a little bit."

Adaramola will be hoping to emulate 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner Victor Moses who rose through the Crystal Palace academy ranks before establishing himself in the senior team's starting lineup.

Vieira is contemplating naming Adaramola in the matchday squad against Chelsea, the defender has been invited to train with the first team before the trip to Wembley.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : cpfc.co.uk

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