Emmanuel Adebayor – Striker Extraordinaire

Adebayor describes Jose Mourinho as the best coach in history

Former Premier League star Emmanuel Adebayor has described Jose Mourinho as the best coach in the history of football. The Togolese striker has played under different managers during his long career and he has talked about his fondness for Mourinho under whom he won his only piece of silverware at Real Madrid on loan.

Speaking to Spanish outlet AS, he told: “I love Mourinho, we had a great relationship and he was the one who brought me to Madrid, although it wasn’t easy for him to find a place for me in the side. The only trophy I have ever won was at Madrid with him. Now he’s at Tottenham and I wish him the best of luck. He is the best coach in the history of football.”
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Hodgson anticipating serious investment

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has said that he is anticipating serious investment from the club after failing to make any high-profile signings over the past few years. The Eagles have managed to remain a mid-table club since their promotion to the top-flight seven years ago, but they have not quite made the push for a top half of the table finish.

The south London outfit have fared impressively this term where they currently lie ninth on the table and Hodgson is hoping to be backed with funds to spend in the summer transfer market, he told: “The investment that we’ve been able to do in the last few years hasn’t been as big or extensive as anyone at the club would have liked. I’m hoping that now once we get going we’ll be sitting down and talking very seriously about the type of players who are on the market and the type of players we would like to attract to the club.” Continue reading “Hodgson anticipating serious investment”

Newcastle United could be tempted to sign Zaha

Former Premier League striker Darren Bent has said that Wilfried Zaha is a realistic target for Newcastle United once their takeover is completed. The Magpies are currently on the verge of a change in ownership with PCP Capital Partners having agreed on a deal worth £300m with Mike Ashley.

The deal is expected to be announced in a couple of weeks’ time and this has already led to speculation that there could be high-profile arrivals during the summer. Speaking to Football Insider, Bent suggested that Zaha could be a realistic option for the Tyneside outfit for the next transfer window. Continue reading “Newcastle United could be tempted to sign Zaha”

Crystal Palace legend fancies new contract for Roy Hodgson

Crystal Palace legend Dean Gordon believes Roy Hodgson deserves a new contract with the south London outfit. The Eagles have experienced another solid season in the Premier League and they appear on course to beat the drop with one-third of the campaign left. As a result, Hodgson has earned plenty of praise from the fans and Gordon feels the veteran should be handed with another renewed contract for his efforts.

He told LoveSportRadio: “I think he’s done well. I think he’s done fantastic since he’s came in. Keeping them up year in year out. I think they’re probably safe now this season. I think he’s done a fantastic job. I think he does deserve a new contract. Maybe they’re not playing the best football but sometimes getting the result is what it’s all about. I saw the game at the weekend where Brighton played really well, and ended up losing the game. So I think the fans would prefer that they stay up instead of seeing great football.”
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Roy Hodgson insists Crystal Palace have not been playing badly

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has insisted that his team have not been playing badly and have not been rewarded for the performances on the playing field. The Eagles ended a three-match losing run with a 2-0 triumph over Burnley and the victory sees them within two points off fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Speaking after the game, Hodgson was pleased with the important victory away from home. He added that the south London outfit have not been playing poorly in the past few games but the results were not going their way, he told: “It was an impressive and important victory after the run of games we’ve had. I don’t think we’ve been in bad form or played poorly in recent games, so it was important for me to keep the players believing that you don’t necessarily equate form with results. There are teams in this league, probably certainly, not just on paper but on the field of play that do have a better chance of beating you with their resources and the quality of their players.”
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Salako says Benteke does not deserve new Crystal Palace contract

Crystal Palace midfielder John Salako has said that Christian Benteke does not deserve a new contract on the basis of his performances for the Eagles. The Belgium international had an impressive debut season with the Eagles during the 2016/17 campaign where he scored 17 goals across all competitions but he has since struggled with form and fitness concerns and has managed just four goals over the past two years.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, Salako said that the former Liverpool man has been awful with his displays for a while and he does not deserve a contract extension on the basis of those performances, he told: “There is talk of Benteke getting a new contract and I am just flabbergasted! The lad was incredible at Aston Villa – he was a beast. He also went and did well at Liverpool for a while, but then he got injured and I think he has struggled. But what has happened over the last two or three years of him at Palace – and I don’t like digging him out – he’s been awful. I really feel for the lad to a point because he just can’t do it. It’s like he’s got his boots on the wrong feet.”
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Hodgsonsays Wilfried Zaha should be prepared to withstand fan backlash

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has said that Wilfried Zaha should be prepared to withstand the backlash of the fans after handing in a transfer request during the closing stages of the summer transfer window. The Ivorian was heavily fancied to join Everton before Thursday’s transfer deadline but the Eagles decided against selling the attacker irrespective of the price on the table.

Speaking to reporters, Hodgson said that the supporters are right to voice their views on the recent transfer saga and Zaha will have to deal with the negative reactions amid the disappointment of missing out on a move away from the club, he said: “You can’t control fans’ reactions. Fans will react in the way they feel they should react. Of course I hope that they won’t get on Wilf’s back. I hope they’ll be sympathetic to him and will help him produce more good performances for the team. But whatever happens, Wilf will have to deal with that, just as he has had to deal with his disappointment over the last few days in the transfer window.” Continue reading

Zaha’s brother urges Crystal Palace to permit forward to join Arsenal

The brother of Wilfried Zaha has urged Crystal Palace to accept the transfer proposal from Arsenal, given the forward has the dream of playing European football with his boyhood club. The 26-year-old has been influential towards the Eagles’ stay in the Premier League in the past few seasons and he is now said to be eyeing a bigger challenge elsewhere.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Zaha’s brother Judiceal said that the forward is keen on realising the dream of playing for the Gunners. He added to issue a plea to the Eagles by citing that the player has given his best during his time in south London, he quipped: “Given all that Wilfried has given to Crystal Palace to help them remain a Premier League club.
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Mamadou Sakho open to making comeback with Paris Saint-Germain

Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho has opened the prospect of making the comeback with Paris Saint-Germain in the near future. The France international parted ways with the French champions six years ago and during this period, he has made a name for himself in the Premier League with both Liverpool and Palace.

Speaking to reporters, Sakho said that he is presently content with the proceedings at Palace, but he would always be open to the idea of rejoining Les Parisiens, he told: “Paris is my home, it will always be that way. I believe in PSG and the Champions League. Like many, I have no regrets in my life and in my career, except that my father did not have the chance to see what I could accomplish. I like it [at Palace] but in life we do not know what tomorrow holds.”
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Roy Hodgson acknowledges Wilfried Zaha and Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be sold

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has acknowledged that the club could sanction the sales of Wilfried Zaha and Aaron Wan-Bissaka at the right price when the transfer window reopens. The duo have enjoyed standout seasons with the south London outfit during the ongoing season and this has attracted interest from some of the Premier League’s elite.

Speaking in his press conference, Hodgson said that he would prefer to keep hold of the pair beyond the summer but there are no assurances of the same. He added that to give the example of West Ham United’s situation with Declan Rice and suggested that every player has a price where the clubs will consider selling.
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