The ex-Manchester United player caught the striker by surprise in the corridor at the north London ground as Arsenal prepared to host Coventry.
Neville, who holds ownership stakes in Salford, questioned Thomas-Asante regarding any financial incentives still tied to his contract that would benefit the club. Neville grinningly enquired whether Salford continued to receive payments based on goals the forward scored this campaign.
Thomas-Asante responded that he wasn’t certain but suggested he probably owed Neville more than that anyway, calling him a key figure for him. The forward found the net 30 times across 126 outings during his three-season stint at Salford, earning a £300,000 transfer to West Brom to make the step up from League Two to Championship football. Neville and his associates had previously signed Thomas-Asante from National League club Ebbsfleet Town, where he had made just three appearances.
His progression continued as he moved to Coventry following two campaigns at the Hawthorns, ultimately helping Lampard’s side secure promotion last term. He now has the chance to establish himself as a Premier League performer after being selected in the starting eleven to face Arsenal.
Thomas-Asante also discussed making the leap to the top flight by taking on the champions in the season opener. He described it as an honour and another positive step forward, expressing gratitude for the journey and acknowledging people who had supported him throughout.
When questioned about what Coventry could demonstrate to other sides this term, Thomas-Asante highlighted the squad’s resilience and qualities they had developed during their Championship title triumph. He noted that last season went their way in many respects, but this campaign would present stiffer challenges against stronger opponents. He emphasised their mental strength and the time spent together as a group, stating they were prepared to show that they could handle difficult periods, not just favourable ones.
Manager Lampard identified Thomas-Asante among those eager to make their mark in the top division. He expressed desire for the players to approach it with confidence, highlighting the enthusiasm of individuals who had worked long and hard in the Championship with the goal of reaching the Premier League. He specifically named Thomas-Asante alongside Mason-Clark and Grimes, describing their determination as a valuable energy the team could draw upon, beginning with the Arsenal fixture, which presented an extremely demanding opening challenge.