Chelsea transfer history has no bearing on future deals says Palace boss Hodgson
BY ANDREW MCSTEEN
After pulling off the marquee loan signings of Michi Batshuayi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in previous seasons, Crystal Palace made another signing from Chelsea at the beginning of this season when they secured the services of Champions League winner Gary Cahill.
And while there has been talk in recent days of former Charlton loanee Conor Gallagher potentially making the move from SE7 to SE25, Eagles boss Roy Hodgson told the South London Press this afternoon that any previous business with the West London club would not have any effect on future transfer dealings between the two Premier League sides.
“I don’t believe that makes any difference,” he said. “Transfers are simple things – at the end of the day both clubs have got to be in agreement, and they want a transfer – or loan as it’s often been with us – to take place, and we’ve been very fortunate with Chelsea with loans.
“They’ve loaned us two very good players in Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Michy Batshuayi in my time at the club, so we’ve been very fortunate with them there.
“I wouldn’t like to necessarily believe that’s because of a particular affinity between the two clubs, it’s just worked out that, at that moment in time, we’ve been in the market for that type of player and they’ve been prepared to loan him out and, most importantly of all, the player wants to come.
“It’s not a question necessarily of the two clubs agreeing; yes, this player is for sale or this player is available for loan and the other club saying, ‘we’d like to do it’,” he added.
“You’ve still got the most important person – the player – does he want to do it? Does he want to come?
“There’s quite a lot that’s got to fall in place, but I don’t honestly believe that I can say we’re lucky because we have a particular arrangement there – it could work out that we’ve been lucky, as we have been. But I don’t think that necessarily leads to future luck. Everything has to be taken from square one and you go from there.”
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
