Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has predicted that Senegalese midfield workhorse Cheikhou Kouyate will play football for a long time because he takes care of himself.
The Frenchman praised the midfielder after his work-rate helped Palace force a goalless draw against Manchester City to leave the holders title hopes in danger.
“Cheikhou will play for a long, long time because he looks after himself really well and has the physique that will allow him to play for a couple of years,” Vieira told Palace website.
“In the second-half he was excellent, coming out, putting on pressure, winning free-kicks and he was really good with the ball.”
The manager also acknowledged the contribution of Ivorian striker Wilfried Zaha, Jeff [Schlupp (Ghanaian striker) and Englishman Tyrick Mitchell.
“That [Zaha’s defensive work] is really important, especially when going through a difficult period. He managed to win free-kicks, he worked really hard, coming to support and helping Tyrick, running behind Kyle Walker and being there to play the two v two. He’s in a really good period since he came back from AFCON – he’s gone to a difficult level and hopefully will be like that until the end of the season,” he said.
“Him, Cheikhou [Kouyaté] and Jeff [Schlupp] as well, the three midfielders maybe need a couple more days off than everyone else! They ran a lot… and didn’t give up, and this is a really good sign for us.”
The result cut City’s lead to four points ahead of Liverpool who have a game against Arsenal on Wednesday in hand.
Palace are on 11th place with 34 points and appear save from relegation.