Wilfried Zaha has “beef” with Crystal Palace chairman and owners after transfer deadline day exit blocked
BY SAM SMITH
Roy Hodgson has admitted that Wilfried Zaha has “beef with the chairman and owners” at Crystal Palace having failed to leave the club during the summer transfer window.
The Eagles winger was the subject of rejected bids from Arsenal and Everton and resorted to handing in a formal transfer request on Wednesday. It was submitted a little over 24 hours before Thursday’s 5pm deadline when there was little time for the South Londoners to find a replacement.
Zaha, 26, will remain at Palace, at least until the transfer window reopens in January, and Hodgson is happy to have kept his prized asset.
He also assures that he has no issues with the Ivory Coast international, despite sending him home from training on transfer deadline day.
“Yes, he’s staying, we are pleased about that. He’s an important player for the club,” the Palace boss told Sky Sports.
“Today he wasn’t really in the right frame of mind, so I sent him home which is understandable. Last day, transfer window.
“Everyone here has a good relationship with him. There’s not a problem with that. His beef is with the chairman and owners of the club because he’s wanted to leave and they haven’t received the offer that they think is sufficient to allow him to leave.
“He has to come to terms with that. When you sign long-term contracts you are expected to honour them. We expect him to do that.
“I don’t have any issues with him. Today wasn’t the right day so I’m looking forward to seeing him tomorrow and hopefully he’ll have come to terms with the fact he’s got another season with Crystal Palace.
“It’s been well-documented that he’s wanted to leave but it has not worked out for him in that respect. He’s a professional and has got a good contract with us.
“He’s very much a player we respect and I believe he respects us. We expect him to come back and do what he does. We’re looking forward to a season with him again.
“We are looking forward to him doing this season, what he’s done for the last two seasons.”
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