Nigel Reo-Coker Denies Crystal Palace Contact
Montreal Impact’s Nigel Reo-Coker has had a phenomenal start to the season, helping lead his club all the way to the CONCACAF Champions League final. He has looked so impressive that various reports around the globe have linked him to a Premier League move with Crystal Palace.
However, in an interview with MLSSoccer.com the midfielder denied he has had any contact with the English club, but spoke highly of his hometown club and their current manager, Alan Pardew.
“[Pardew] is a fantastic manager to work with,” Reo-Coker said. “I learned so much under him. I had my best football education under him. If there is an opportunity to work with someone like that again, it’d be fantastic. It’d be an opportunity you’d have to take.
“You look at what he did at Newcastle, from when they went down and came back up, and he got them to fifth place,” Reo-Coker continued. “That just shows you the type of manager that he is. How he transformed Crystal Palace – he came in, he brought them from the relegation zone to where they are right now.”
Reo-Coker played under Pardew from 2004-2006 at West Ham United, which helped fuel speculation of a possible move. However, the 30-year-old says he is happy to be where he is in Montreal.
More from MLS Multiplex
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
- De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
- Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States
“I never imagined I’d be here at this moment in time, having had a fantastic run with Montreal to get to the CONCACAF Champions League final,” Reo-Coker said. “I think it’s a fantastic achievement, what we did, what we’re doing, what we’re capable of. But you never know what’s around the corner. With football, scouts and teams are watching you all the time. You never know what’s going to happen.”
Despite confirming his intentions to stay in Canada, the player seens like he would be open to a Crystal Palace move if the chance did arise.
“It’s where I grew up, literally five minutes from Selhurst Park,” Reo-Coker said. “I played my football in the streets. That’s where I started.”
The experienced midfielder has played across England for the likes of Wimbledon, West Ham United, Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers, and Ipswitch town, before making the move to Major League Soccer to play for the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2013.
It remains to be seen what lays ahead for Nigel Reo-Coker, but I think we’ll be hearing a lot more speculation when the summer transfer window opens.