Crystal Palace ‘tried everything’ to get Ruben Loftus-Cheek as Roy Hodgson delivers Wilfried Zaha contract update

Crystal Palace kept Wilfried Zaha but were unable to bring Ruben Loftus-Cheek to Selhurst Park after promising loan spell

As Roy Hodgson prepares to begin his 43rd season in coaching, he reflected on a transfer window that could have been better after the club kept hold of Wilfried Zaha but failed to clinch Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Hodgson signed a new one-year extension which keeps him at Selhurst Park until the end of the 2019-20 season, and there is potentially further good news on the horizon with the club still in talks over a new deal for Zaha.

The Eagles star man attracted interest from Chelsea and Tottenham in the transfer window, but the south London club held firm and are now hopeful the winger will sign an improved deal on top of his current contract, which expires in 2022.

“That was mooted at the end of last season,” said Hodgson when asked about Zaha’s contract situation. “That discussion has been going on. That’s private business between Wilf and the club.

“He’s an iconic figure at the club. We’ve said from an early stage that we don’t want to lose good players that we’ve had.”

Palace signed Cheikhou Kouyate, Max Meyer and Jordan Ayew in the transfer window, but missed out on Chelsea and England international Loftus-Cheek, who impressed while on loan at Selhurst Park last season.

Palace remain in talks with Zaha over a new deal after Chelsea and Tottenham interest (Getty)

The club had limited resources heading into the transfer window and Hodgson made it clear to the chairman, Steve Parish, that he wanted the 22-year-old back, but Chelsea were unwilling to let him go.

“Steve Parish knows how much we would have liked to get him here again. It doesn’t surprise me that they’d rather keep him and not loan him out. We did all we could do.”

Loftus-Cheek remains a Chelsea player and will have to fight for game time at Chelsea in a packed midfield, which was further bolstered by the loan signing of Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic. Eden Hazard is expecting big things from Loftus-Cheek if he can break into the first team. “I think if we can have him in the team this season it’s a plus for everyone,” said the Belgian winger.

Crystal Palace "tried everything" to re-sign Loftus-Cheek after loan spell (Getty)

Hodgson, who used to watch Palace play from the stands when he was younger, took over Crystal Palace in September last year when they had failed to win or score in Frank De Boer’s three Premier League game.

Having guided Palace to an unlikely 11^th place finish in the Premier League last season, Hodgson said he can reflect on his achievement with pride as he prepares to take the club forward.

“We can be proud of our achievements last season in turning things around despite a poor start, but this year we want to ensure we don’t endure the same struggles,” said Hodgson.

“I am thrilled that I have the support of the owners, who believe that I am the right man to help this club move forward and I will do everything I can to make that happen.”

First up for Palace is a trip to Fulham, where Hodgson managed for three years and guided them to a Europa League final.

“There were so many,” said Hodgson when reflecting on his favourite moment at Fulham. “I don’t think about it that often because I’m looking to what’s in front of me, The Juventus game, the Atletico Madrid final and the win at Portsmouth to keep the club up are all up there."