Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira says Abramovich sanctions cannot take away his success with Chelsea

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira says the sanctions against Roman Abramovich cannot take away his impact and success at Chelsea.

The oligarch’s UK assets have been frozen by the government, over alleged links with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Chelsea cannot sell any matchday tickets - including for away fans visiting Stamford Bridge - and cannot sell merchandise, offer new contracts or buy players.

Crystal Palace have Conor Gallagher on-loan from Chelsea, who might have his future at the club hanging in the balance following the revelations.

The news has been the talk of English football, and unsurprisingly manager Patrick Vieira was asked about it at his pre-Manchester City press conference.

But manager Vieira thought it would not make much of a difference to his success in the Premier League and Europe.

The Crystal Palace manager said: “I heard the news and I was surprised like everyone else.

“I was shocked but that is not a lot I can say from it.

“I don’t know but the future will tell us what this means, but you can not take away his impact and success he had with Chelsea.”

Crystal Palace have had a very good season under Vieira after the former Arsenal midfielder took over from Roy Hodgson in the summer.

They are currently 10th in the Premier League table and looking to make the last four of the FA Cup, having been paired against Everton at the quarter final stage of the competition.

One success story has been the form of new signing Michael Olise, who is one of the best youngsters in the league, and his manager says he deserves all the praise because he works very hard.

Vieira added: “He worked really hard and he is a very good player that we spoke to and we knew that he had the quality to play in the Premier League.

“He is still very young and he is one of the best but he can do better without the ball, and we will make sure that we help him and give him all the support he needs to go as far as he can.”