Roy Hodgson not expecting new Crystal Palace signings in January unless someone departs – and expects Wilfried Zaha to stay
BY SAM SMITH
Roy Hodgson does not expect to add to his Crystal Palace squad during the January transfer window unless a player departs.
The Eagles have been linked with a move for the Watford winger Ismaila Sarr. The Hornets turned down a £25 million bid from the South Londoners on deadline day in October.
But the Palace boss is content with his squad and is not desperate for additions this month.
Hodgson said: “Our squad, at the moment, is a good one, I’m happy with it. It’s a full squad as well. There are no particular gaps that we could fill with players.
“If anything is going to happen, it would be on the basis that some players leave us and therefore a gap is created where a new player could come in.
“If that moment arrives, I’m sure there will be a reason for us to sit down and talk about it. But there’s no point at the moment in talking about those things, because any players coming in would just be adding to the 25 we already have.”
Rumours of Palace forward Wilfried Zaha’s departure are common in each transfer window but Hodgson once again expects his key asset to remain at the club. The 28-year-old has eight goals this season.
Hodgson continued: “Again, you know it’s pure speculation. There’s been so much about Wilf over the years that these days I tend to let those concerns just disappear as they often do.
“Wilf’s good, there’s no doubt about that. It doesn’t surprise me that there would be clubs out there that would like to sign him.
“A lot of things have to be in place before a player leaves a club and joins a new one. So I’m just happy at the moment that Wilf is playing the way he is, showing the discipline, the concentration and his passion for his football and the club that he’s been showing.
“I just work on the basis that until I’m given a reason otherwise, I should expect that to keep going.”
The transfer window for Premier League and EFL clubs started today and ends on February 1.
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
