Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira says defender Joachim Andersen is 'massively important' to his new style of play at Selhurst Park.

The Frenchman has set about changing Palace into a possession-based and attack-minded team compared to his predecessor Roy Hodgson, who set his team up to play deep and pragmatic.

Andersen was bought from Sampdoria for €22m, having impressed in England on loan with Fulham last season.

Asked by football.london how vital Andersen was in helping Palace implement his style, Vieira said: "He is massively important. Joachim played in France, he played in Italy, he was in the Premier League last year. He has this experience of moving around and going to a new club.

"When you want to have possession and you have a centre-back who is really comfortable having the ball at his feet it's quite important.

"He will be a massive help for Marc to build his confidence and he is doing really well."