Roy Hodgson has come out to the media and stated that under no circumstances he would want to lose his star player Wilfried Zaha this summer. The boss said: “I’m talking purely in football terms and what we can offer him in terms of allowing him to continue to improve as a player, playing at the highest level, playing in a team where he’s comfortable and he enjoys playing and being in a situation where he feels ‘I’m enjoying my football and I’m helping a team do well in the league and I’m where I want to be.”
“I would be very unhappy the day when Wilfried Zaha leaves the club because I hope for a long time after I am here I shall be watching him play for Crystal Palace because this is where he belongs.”
“This is his club and he knows how much we and the fans value him, and I am hopeful that this will remain as speculation. I don’t blame other clubs for coveting him, but he is ours, he is under contract here, and I believe he will still be our player when the season begins.”
As for the player himself, he has expressed his desire to stay back. “I have no plans on leaving. I’m enjoying my football, you can see how much I’m enjoying it. This is my home and there’s no reason for me to leave.” This has complicated matters for Chelsea who wanted to bring in the speedster.
Chelsea needs another winger up front with Pedro already north of 30 and Willian simply not up to the mark in terms of consistency. Zaha could prove to be the one if he agrees to move. However, the player is unlikely to do so as he is a crucial cog in the Palace team. He has played a crucial part in the London team’s survival and was their primary attacker last season.
Therefore, with Zaha’s transfer now looking unlikely, here are three players Chelsea can target this summer.
Gareth Bale
The Welsh speedster put in a commendable performance in the finals of the UEFA Champions League last week and alerted the clubs immediately afterwards by stating that he is uncertain about his future at Real Madrid.
Chelsea could look to bring him in as Bale has prior experience of playing in the English league and would be the perfect addition to the Blues team.
Anthony Martial
The Frenchman has had little game time at Manchester United this season and Chelsea could use that to their advantage by luring him to London with the promise of extra game time. He is an excellent dribbler, a good shooter and has the versatility to play anywhere in the front line.
Riyad Mahrez
The Leicester City winger was very close to a transfer in the January transfer window but the Foxes denied him any move. He will want to fulfil that wish now and Chelsea could use it to their advantage to bring him in.
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He knows the league inside out and would be the perfect foil to Hazard by operating from the right flank.
