Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson realistic over Wilfried Zaha

Roy Hodgson is preparing himself for a summer of speculation as he bids to hang on to striker Wilfred Zaha.

The Ivory Coast international has found his form since returning to the side from injury. Zaha has netted four goals and grabbed three assists after returning against Chelsea at the start of last month after recovering from another knee problem.

The pacy striker missed the early part of the season with another knee problem, but he is now firing on all cylinders and the club expect plenty of interest in him this summer.

Hodgson wants the Ivory Coast international to stay at Selhurst Park, but he cannot be certain that Zaha will stay.

“That will be a club issue,” said Hodgson. “The fact is he is not going to stay because of my blue eyes, he will stay because he likes playing at Selhurst Park, he likes the crowd and he thinks this is the right place for him.

“I suppose a lot will depend on what offers come to the club and the only thing I can say with real certainty is that nobody at the club, in particular myself and my coaching staff and the other players, want him to leave, obviously not.”

The 25-year-old, who has scored eight goals and assisted three times this season for Palace, is under contract until 2022.

Former Palace boss Sam Allardyce claimed Zaha, who has been linked with Tottenham, was worth £40million this time last year.

 

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