Wilfried Zaha to leave Crystal Palace? Roy Hodgson downplays summer transfer chances

On the move? Wilfried Zaha
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Vaishali Bhardwaj21 April 2019

Roy Hodgson has brushed away speculation linking Wilfried Zaha with a summer transfer away from Selhurst Park, insisting the winger is "happy" at Crystal Palace.

Zaha - who scored a fine goal in the Eagles' 3-2 victory away to Arsenal on Sunday - confirmed this week that he harbours ambitions to play in the Champions League and wants to "play at the very highest level" and "win trophies".

The 26-year-old's comments reignited speculation over a summer move, despite Zaha having four years to run on a contract signed last summer.

But Hodgson downplayed the idea that Zaha could leave his boyhood club in the coming months, insisting the winger remains fully committed to Palace.

"I suppose the question is how many players, if it's put to them, wouldn't say that," Hodsgon said when asked about Zaha's comments about wanting to play in the Champions League.

"You have to congratulate their journeys. [He's] extracted an honest answer from him. 'Do you think you're good enough to play?' He says 'yes' [and] I don't know what I can say.

"The bottom line is he's a Crystal Palace player and he's happy here. He's on a four-year contract, he's one of our highest-paid players.

"I am looking forward to working with him in the near future and for many years to come. But we'll see what happens. I don't place so much importance on those stories, I should do.

"Maybe I should do but sometimes you get asked questions and when you answer, you can find yourself in the wrong."

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