May 3 2018

Roy Hodgson

Matt Sillett reviews the best Crystal Palace news and reaction from the last seven days.

Hodgson planning for next season

Eagles boss Roy Hodgson says he has no desire to leave the club.

The former England manager appears to have guided the team to Premier League safety after a disastrous start to the campaign.

Hodgson said: "I don't have any plans in that respect. I don't know why the previous two managers left.

"Next season's going to be a very important one. We need to get our preparation right - it obviously wasn't right this season, because of a change in manager so early in the season."

Benteke: It's been hard for me

Christian Benteke admits he has found it difficult to handle his first lean spell in football.

The striker has netted a paltry three times this season, the last of which came from the spot in a 5-0 win over Leicester.

He said: "It has been hard because I didn’t know how to react because since I have been here it is the first time that I haven’t scored the amount that I would have liked to.

"I was trying to look at the positives and it has made me more stronger mentally and I think if I was really down I wouldn’t have even taken the penalty."

Loftus-Cheek unfazed by World Cup talk

Ruben Loftus-Cheek says he is not thinking about an England World Cup call-up this summer.

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate was watching Palace in the stands for the win over Leicester but Loftus-Cheek is focussing on helping Palace end the season on a high.

The on-loan Chelsea midfielder said: "I am just concentrating on performing, trying to get better and focussing on trying to win and get the three points in the next two games for Palace and see what happens."

France international linked to Palace

According to reports in France Football, Yann M'Vila has been heavily linked to a potential switch to South London this summer.

The French midfielder is currently plying his trade in Ligue 1 with St Etienne but has only one year left on his current contract.

M'Vila is also very close friends with current Crystal Palace star Mamadou Sakho and could be a welcome addition to an already strong midfield set up.

Zaha going nowhere

Wilfried Zaha insists he's not quitting Crystal Palace – but isn't scared of joining top-club.

Palace's talisman is contracted with the Eagles until 2022 and says is happy at Selhurst Park.

"I am just try to keep my head down and enjoy my football," said the Ivory Coast star.

"I am enjoying it at Palace. I am contracted there, so I don't really see myself anywhere. I am just enjoying my football and seeing how it goes.

"If I get the opportunity to be somewhere else eventually that will not scare me because of what happened in the past. I feel like I am a different person in general, a different player."