Patrick Vieira’s influence on Seko Fofana is clear to see as soon as the ball arrives at his feet. As soon as the former Manchester City youngster embarks on one of those lungbusting forward bursts, batting opponents aside like a raging bull knocking antique Ming vases aside on one of his China shop rampages.
“Patrick Vieira has helped me to progress every day,” Fofana told Sky Sports all the way back in 2015, hailing the legendary Arsenal captain for imparting his knowledge on one of his most promising Etihad Campus students.
“He was a big player in my position so his advice is good. He knows how to get the best from the group and I think he has the quality required to become a great coach.”
Fofana would never make a first-team appearance in Manchester City colours, his pathway to the first-team blocked by another of his idols – a certain Yaya Toure.
After four years at Udinese and two at Lens, however, the now-26-year-old Ivory Coast international has blossomed to such an extent that it seems only a matter of time before he’s putting pen to paper with a club, if not quite on City’s level, then one a rung or two below on the footballing ladder.
Back to England?
Aston Villa, Leicester City, Newcastle, Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur are just some of the clubs taking an interest in Fofana, a formidable force of nature at the heart of a coupon-busting Lens side. Fofana was named Get France Football News’ 2021 Player of the Year – ahead of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and co – for a reason.
“I think it was a simple decision in the end,” the website’s head writer Adam White explains.
“He’s been the most consistently high-level performer in Ligue 1. He manages to play midfield enforcer, creator and dynamo all at once. It’s quite incredible.”
That Crystal Palace are yet to be linked with a move of their own for Fofana however is, to quote White, ‘quite incredible’. And not just because it’s now Vieira standing on the Selhurst Park touchline.
It’s no secret that Palace, like Aston Villa and Leicester, are targeting an all-action midfield dynamo with 30-something veterans Cheikhou Kouyate, James McArthur and Luka Milovojevic facing uncertain futures. What’s more, The Eagles have even held talks with Fofana’s midfield partner, the £16 million-rated Cheick Doucoure.
Fofana is finally starting the attention he deserves from the wider footballing public. Surely Crystal Palace are the next to show appreciation for his talents.
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