Crystal Palace boss Hodgson gives verdict on Andros Townsend forging ahead with media career

Roy Hodgson said he did not encourage Andros Townsend to take his first steps into a future media career – with the Crystal Palace winger now a regular on radio station talkSPORT.

The 29-year-old has played every minute in the Premier League for the Eagles in the 2020-21 campaign.

Asked if he had encouraged Townsend to increase his media workload, Palace manager Hodgson said: “No, I didn’t encourage him – but I didn’t put any obstacles in the way either.

“His point to me is that he wants to start thinking about his career after football. I think it’s too early – I don’t think he needs to start thinking about his career after football and becoming a journalist at this stage.

“He’s intelligent enough to manage it. It doesn’t cause any problems whatsoever, but it’s another burden of work for him which I would certainly not encourage him to take on.

“I wish him well. In terms of his footballing career that continues to go forward. He’s probably at a good stage at the moment. There are aspects of his game he works on and I see them improving.

“He needs to keep that going to keep that level of performance at the high level it was at on Saturday.”