Roy Hodgson is ‘actually a big fan’ of £15m Crystal Palace player who was linked with summer exit

Crystal Palace had a fair few players linked away and journalist Ryan Taylor has shared that Roy Hodgson actually really likes one of the players who could have been sold this summer.

Like always, there were many big stories for every club in the Premier League whilst the transfer window was open. Crystal Palace managed to keep hold of all their top stars apart from Wilfried Zaha.

One player heavily linked with a move away was Jean-Philippe Mateta. The forward was attracting big interest from Europe but ended up staying.

No doubt all associated with Crystal Palace will be happy as the Frenchman managed to score a hat-trick in the Carabao Cup and picked up two very important assists in the division on the weekend.

Ryan Taylor on Roy Hodgson being a big fan of Mateta

Mateta has had a big impact this season already and has already produced more goal contributions in five games than he did the whole of last season.

Speaking via GiveMeSport about Mateta, the journalist said: “I think, if that’s the case, then probably yeah. It did look like Mateta would move on. He’s been the subject of a few bids from Germany from RB Leipzig. There’s been other clubs from Germany interested as well.

“But I actually think Hodgson, from what I understand, is actually a big fan of Mateta. He likes him. He obviously scored a hat-trick against Plymouth last Tuesday.

“However, I would say Palace do need a bit more of a goal threat in the final third. Odsonne Edouard is okay but flatters to deceive at times. I do think they maybe need a wide player, but maybe that is Matheus Franca coming in.”

With the French striker proving important this season, it is no shock to see him become someone that Roy Hodgson is a big fan of.

It would have been nice for the Eagles to strengthen their attack but Mateta and fellow striker Odsonne Edouard are both thriving at the moment.

 

 

‘My boy’: Eberechi Eze hails ‘brilliant’ Crystal Palace teammate on Instagram

Crystal Palace were involved in a thrilling match on Sunday in the Premier League and would have been delighted as they picked up the three points.

In the end, Crystal Palace managed to win 3-2 and this result meant that they now sit seventh going into the international break.

Eberechi Eze managed to score one of the goals, whilst French striker Odsonne Edouard scored the other two goals.

The result no doubt showed that the Eagles could battle for a top-half finish this season. Goalscorer Edouard took to Instagram following the result with a picture of him celebrating one of his goals. Eze was one of many players in the squad who sent a positive message to the striker on his Instagram post.

Eberechi Eze sends message to Odsonne Edouard on Instagram

Crystal Palace have been crying out for a consistent goal scorer for years. So far this season, despite it being early doors, it looks like Edouard could become that talisman. On his day, he can be ‘brilliant‘ when it comes to scoring goals.

In five appearances this season, the 25 year-old striker now has four goals and this is a great start to the season for him.

It looks like playmaker Eze has noticed this good form and felt like he had to show his appreciation on Edouard’s latest Instagram post. The striker posted one picture showing him celebrating his first goal against Wolves.

The post had a simple caption as he simply posted the pointing up emoji to replicate his celebration on the day.

Many Palace players commented, including Eze. The attacking midfielder said: “My boy” and followed it up with a heart emoji.

Palace fans will be delighted with how the season has started. They have beaten the teams they should be beating and picked up a tough point away to Brentford. They also looked good in the defeat to Arsenal.

The players all seem to be on the same page at the moment and it is good to see them publicly supporting each other on social media.