Football
Zaha odds to PSG as Hodgeson faces dilemma
Crystal Palace pulled off a remarkable turnaround in the previous Premier League season, finishing in 11th place on the table.
Throughout most of the season, it appeared likely that they would face relegation to the Championship.
However, a change in management proved to be the catalyst for their success.
Roy Hodgson replaced Patrick Vieira as the manager in March and had an immediate positive impact. Initially signing a deal until the end of the season, Hodgson is now making a decision about his future at Selhurst Park.
In great news for Crystal Palace fans, Hodgson has agreed to stay on as the boss for another season, according to BBC Sport.
Currently on holiday, he is expected to finalize his extended contract at Selhurst Park upon his return.
Hodgson of course has already spent time as Palace manager from 2017 to 2021 before taking a break from football.
He returned to coaching in January 2022 when he took over at Vicarage Road but left after five months following Watford‘s relegation to the Championship.
Crystal Palace turned to Hodgson once again when they were embroiled in a relegation battle under Vieira.
With his vast experience, the veteran manager guided the club to safety, collecting 18 points from his 10 matches in charge. Prior to his arrival, the team had endured a winless streak of 12 matches across all competitions under Vieira.
While Hodgson is highly regarded at Crystal Palace, he faces a busy summer ahead.
One of his primary tasks will be to retain the services of star player Wilfried Zaha, who has been linked with a move away from the Eagles for several years.
Although Arsenal, previously a potential destination, no longer seems interested, other clubs may show interest in Zaha’s talents.
At present, Zaha’s odds of joining French club PSG are 2/1, with odds of 7/2 for a move to any Saudi Arabian club or Serie A side Lazio.
The odds of him staying at Crystal Palace for another season are 9/2, while the possibility of a transfer to any Turkish Super Lig club stands at 14/1.
Crystal Palace is preparing for the upcoming campaign with a busy summer schedule, including five pre-season friendlies against Barnet, Brondby, Crawley Town, Millonarios, and Sevilla.
While it remains uncertain whether Zaha will still be part of the team on the opening day of the new league season, Hodgson’s commitment ensures he will be in charge.
The Eagles will face a challenging test on the opening day against newly-promoted Sheffield United, who will aim to make an impact in front of their home fans.