MX23RW : Friday, November 8 12:01:29| >> :120:20049:20049:

Hodgson rules out selling players in January transfer window

Hodgson rules out selling players in January transfer window
© Reuters
The Crystal Palace manager is only interested in adding to his squad.

Roy Hodgson insists Crystal Palace are only interested in buying, not selling, when the transfer window opens next week.

Wilfried Zaha has long been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park but Hodgson is concentrating on strengthening his squad and not weakening it.

"Obviously we have our targets," said the Eagles boss. "We have people who we would hope, if they were available, we could persuade to come, but it is all work in progress. Who knows if anything will happen?

"I still think the most important thing is that we keep building and keep faith with the squad we have. I don't think we have a bad squad of players.

"It would be very nice to add a few new faces, to introduce a bit of fresh blood, some new spirit. But it is a difficult market in January so I am very realistic and sanguine about it all.

"If something happens I would be delighted. If it doesn't, I won't be bleating too much as long as I still have this group of players I have got here to work with."

Zaha is now reportedly attracting interest from China, with the 26-year-old apparently being lined up for a lucrative offer from Super League side Dalian Yifang.

But Hodgson insists he has heard nothing about the rumours and doubts the Ivory Coast forward, who signed a new deal in August, would consider such a move.

"The speculation we have had so far I have got to say I find it hard to take seriously, but who knows? Perhaps I shall be very surprised," he said.

"I don't know if you sign a new four-year contract in the Premier League and then go to China at the age of 26. But who knows? Perhaps I am naive. Perhaps it does happen.

"All I do know is that no one at the club knows anything at all about this story. "

Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and full-back Martin Kelly are expected to be available for Saturday's visit of Chelsea.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Andy Sims, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'aba218e1-fbc4-4d09-be7f-2e52b6f56d0d');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Hodgson rules out selling players in January transfer window'});

ID:345351: cacheID:345351:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4339:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Olivier Giroud celebrates after opening the scoring for Chelsea in their Europa League meeting with PAOK on November 29, 2018
Read Next:
How Chelsea could line up against Crystal Palace
>
Read more about Roy Hodgson Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!