Cheick Doucoure has been one of Crystal Palace's top performers in the Premier League so far this season but Patrick Vieira could have had an even better option in midfield had he signed Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.

The Eagles were linked with signing the Cameroon international in January, as they attempted to hijack his move from Fulham to Napoli, but in the end the midfielder would join the Serie A giants.

He has since established himself as a key player in Luciano Spalletti's side and has been one of their most impressive performers so far this season both in the league and the Champions League.

The 26-year-old is ranked by WhoScored as the fourth-best player in Napoli's side in Serie A after contributing two goals and two assists in the opening nine games, which has earned him an impressive 7.30 rating.

Doucoure, meanwhile, has no goals and just the solitary assist in the Premier League and has averaged a far less impressive 6.72 rating from WhoScored, which suggests that Palace might have been better off with Anguissa.

Anguissa has also been one of the stars in Europe this term, with one goal and three assists in only four outings with a 7.87 rating from WhoScored, which ranks him as the ninth-best performer in the entire competition thus far.

Even in Fulham's relegation campaign, Anguissa was able to show his quality in the Premier League, averaging a 6.99 rating from WhoScored for his performances in the 2020/21 season, which emphasises that he would have been a quality addition to Vieira's midfield had Palace managed to bring him to Selhurst Park.

Former Fulham manager Scott Parker was full of praise for Anguissa in 2019, saying:

“Us as a football club need Frank straightaway really, but he just needed time to settle in, and certainly today, I thought he was first-class. He did really well and I’m really pleased for him.”

Indeed, the midfielder gladiator has shown that class since, with Anguissa clearly having the quality to play in the Premier League. He would have been a superb addition to the Eagles had he joined in January and based on his performances this season, Vieira will no doubt be gutted that he couldn't bring the Cameroonian to London.