Emmanuel Adebayor – Striker Extraordinaire

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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Roy Hodgson dismisses Crystal Palace’s FA Cup prospects

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has dismissed the club’s prospects of winning the FA Cup amid the stiff challenge from the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City. The south London have reached the last eight of the competition after beating the likes of Tottenham Hotspur but the former England boss does not fancy his side to go all the way.

Speaking to reporters, Hodgson highlighted that the Eagles don’t usually enjoy lengthy runs in the Cup and those are left for the successful teams like Arsenal and Chelsea. He added that he is prepared for the forthcoming challenge against Watford and would be pleased to guide his team to the semi-final stage.
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Istanbul Basaksehir a team with misfit Premier League Stars

A look at the top Turkish League table at the moment for non-followers of the league would seem unfamiliar. No Galatasaray, no Fernabache or Besiktas but little known Istanbul Basaksehir lead the table six points ahead of their closest rivals.

How have the Turkish side been able to come to this feat, a look at their squad would give an idea about this remarkable turn in form? Basaksehir boast of nothing less than 6 players that have plied their trade in the premier league at one point or the order. This list includes Emmanuel Adebayor, Demba Ba, Robinho, Kerim Frei, Emre Belozogu and Gael Clichy.
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Crystal Palace complete the signing of goalkeeper Lucas Perri

Crystal Palace have confirmed the signing of Lucas Perri from Sao Paolo on a short-term loan for the season. The 21-year-old becomes the fourth goalkeeper with the Eagles’ first-team squad but he is expected to compete with Julian Speroni for the number one role, given Wayne Hennessey and Vicente Guaita are currently in the treatment room.

“It’s an amazing feeling, I’m really glad to join the club,” he told the club’s website shortly after the move. “Two months ago, I knew [about] the possibility to join Palace. Since then, I was pretty anxious to be here because I really wanted that. It’s huge, it’s a really important thing to me. It’s the opportunity of my life and I’m going to do whatever it takes.”
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