CRYSTAL PALACE MANAGER Roy Hodgson has dismissed speculation linking Wilfried Zaha with Borussia Dortmund, insisting the Eagles have not received any approach for the winger.
The Bundesliga leaders have reportedly identified Zaha as the man to replace Christian Pulisic at Signal Iduna Park.
The United States international will join Chelsea at the end of the 2018-19 season and Dortmund are reportedly willing to break their transfer record in a €58 million swoop for the Palace man.
However, Hodgson says there has been no conversations between the two clubs and is confident Zaha – who signed a new five-year deal in August 2018 – will remain at Selhurst Park.
“We don’t know [about] that,” he told a media conference when quizzed about the rumours.
“There has been absolutely no dialogue whatsoever between Borussia Dortmund and Crystal Palace Football Club.
“If I am going to comment every time a club is linked with Wilf Zaha, I will be talking about it for a long time.
“Wilf signed a long-term contract with Crystal Palace. .
I’d be very surprised if there were any clubs out there who wouldn’t think he’s very good, but that doesn’t mean to say they are going to try and buy him.”
Hodgson has regularly had to deal with transfer speculation surrounding Zaha, who has become an integral part of the side since his appointment as Eagles boss in September 2017.
Earlier this month the former England manager had to play down reports Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang had made an eye-watering offer to land the Ivory Coast international.
Zaha was also keen to play down speculation of a move to China, saying he was “flattered” by the offer but remained fully focused on the Eagles.
The 26-year-old has struggled to replicate his previous form this campaign, scoring just three goals and adding a further two assists in the Premier League.
However, such is his influence on the side, Palace went over two years without winning a game when Zaha wasn’t in the team before their 1-0 victory over Leicester in December.
The south London club are currently 15th in the Premier League, five points clear of the relegation zone.
Next up for the Eagles is an FA Cup fourth round tie against Tottenham at Selhurst Park on Saturday before a trip to Southampton in the Premier League on Wednesday.
Just over a week out from the 2019 Six Nations openers, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey are joined by Bernard Jackman to look at Ireland’s bid for another Grand Slam:
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Tough blow to lose so many important players. Molony and Penny were two of the stars of the 6 Nations while Byrne and Hackshaw were key playmakers at 10 and 12 with Hacksahw being the captain. I’d fancy Allison to come into the backrow instead of Molony without too much drop off in quality as he might have started if he’d been fit for the 6 Nations. Replacing Penny is nigh on impossible but Healy and French/Moore will do a fine job coming in at 10 and 12. The issue will be the lack of depth now we’re down some big players and guys having so many big games in such a short period of time.
Its concerning the amount of serious injuries in a young squad like that already
One “IQ” player is that a good return should there be more
@Exiled Dub: why should there be more?
also Iwan Hughes is a IQ rugby product who is with Ulster now.
I wonder how the other home countries are getting on, say England next week ?? Do we have the worst list ???)
@Martin Quinn: A few injuries and also the unavailability of #10 Marcus Smith because he’s playing for England development XV vs the Barbarians ! A disappointing priority for the rest of the squad, I imagine.
See https://www.englandrugby.com/news/england-men-u20s-squad-update/
@Martin Quinn: No mention of Australian injuries here:
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/05/07/world-u20-championships-junior-wallabies-squad
They beat NZ 24-0 in a final recently !
@Martin Quinn: Italy had to omit 3 injured players who were “more or less important”. See:
https://www.federugby.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=112&Itemid=427
So my guess is that our missing 5, 6, 7, 10 and 12 represent the greatest omissions in our group.
Ah well, cometh the hour, cometh the man …
@Martin Quinn: https://u20rugby.wordpress.com if you’re interested keep an eye on this
@Glenbower:
Thanks for that :: Glen
@Eddie Hekenui:
Thanks for that :: EDDIE