‘I hope he’s getting frustrated’ – Patrick Vieira makes Odsonne Edouard demand after ex-Celtic forward loses Crystal Palace starting spot

Patrick Vieira has demanded more from Odsonne Edouard and hopes the Crystal Palace forward is frustrated by his lack of recent playing time.

Edouard has lost his place in the starting 11 under Vieira in recent weeks, with Jean-Philippe Mateta leading the line in the last three outings.

The 25-year-old, who joined the Eagles from Celtic in August 2021, scored three goals and recorded two assists before the Qatar 2022 World Cup break.

But the French forward is yet to find the back of the net since the Premier League restarted, with his last three appearances all coming from the bench.

“I hope he’s getting frustrated,” said Vieira of Edouard, who has featured 55 times for the South Londoners since signing at Selhurst Park.

“I want more from Edouard – he can be a really important player for us.

“I want more from him. I hope that not starting the last couple of games hurts him and he shows more.”

Former Mainz forward Mateta has one goal to his name this season but is Vieira’s first-choice starting striker at the moment.

When asked what the 25-year-old has shown to earn a starting spot, Vieira said: “It’s what we needed at the moment. 

“JP’s work ethic, with the way the team is defending from the front, allows us to be more solid, especially at the back.

“He brings us physicality and energy. His work out of possession has been fantastic for the team.”

Mateta had two chances to score against Liverpool last Saturday, hitting a shot straight at Alisson after collecting a loose ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 12th minute.

He also hit the crossbar just before half time after rushing an effort inside the area.

“It’s just about confidence,” said Vieira of Mateta, who has failed to score in his last 600 minutes of Premier League football.

“Of course when strikers don’t score, they start to doubt themselves. But the message has been clear to him and the strikers – there is no doubt in my mind about the quality of the players that we have.

“Any other day, with a little bit of luck, he scores those goals. 

“It’s important that he keeps working and practising in training to allow him to rebuild this kind of belief.

“I’m happy with what he gives to the team in the last three games.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLLARD