April 4 2015

Marouane Chamakh (Photo: Andy Roberts)

EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City star Samir Nasri has told his pal Marouane Chamakh to become selfish and bag himself more goals.

Chamakh, 31, has rejuvenated his career at Palace as a hard-working midfielder after failing to hit the heights as a striker with Arsenal.

The Moroccan, who has three goals this season, hopes to be back from a hamstring problem to line up against Nasri when City visit Selhurst Park on Monday night.

Chamakh has been integral to Palace's Premier League survival over the past two years but former Gunners teammate Nasri reckons he needs to focus on goals and not assists.

"Well he is a great player, a really great player and my best friend," Nasri told the Holmesdale Online.

"We go on holiday every summer together and every time I’m in London we are together. He comes to my house, I go to his house, we speak on the phone almost every two days.

"He is my best friend so as a striker I would really love to play with him because he’s the only striker I know who is not selfish.

"He’s been playing in the midfield area but it might be his only problem in that he doesn’t take his chance too much, he prefers to make a pass. As a player, as a manager, he is a dream to work with because his defensive work is amazing, he’s good in air.

"He was just a little unlucky at Arsenal. I think he can help Palace stay up with Alan Pardew - I heard they have a good relationship. He will be key for Palace to survive. But he needs to be more selfish and I tell him this."