Roy Hodgson expects top clubs to call on Palace star Michael Olise

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson predicts top clubs could call on Michael Olise after another impressive performance from the midfielder helped the Eagles clinch Premier League football next season.

The 21-year-old registered his ninth assist of the season in Saturday’s 4-3 win over West Ham, his total making him the fourth-best provider in the league, and he was also instrumental in the build-up to Wilfried’s return. Zaha. Seventh goal of the campaign.

Hodgson’s interim contract in the Palace dugout expires at the end of the season and, as a result, the former England manager is not required to worry about contractual matters, including the potentially worrying possibility of someone pulling Olise away from Selhurst Park. .

“I was Steve Parish, I would be (worried),” the Eagles boss said. “But I will be Roy Hodgson for the next few weeks and I wish everyone the best. I don’t have any conversation about contracts and what the club wants to do.

“If they ever need an opinion from me, I know they’ll ask for it, but I certainly won’t give it to them.”

Olise’s assist to set up Jordan Ayew for Palace’s first-half equalizer made him the youngest player to record nine or more Premier League assists since Trent Alexander-Arnold did the same in 2018-19.

He became the first signing of Hodgson’s successor-turned-fired predecessor Patrick Vieira when he joined Palace on a five-year deal in 2021, and has scored twice for the Eagles this season, a figure that Olise’s current boss confirmed. challenged to improve.

Hodgson said: “I think he needs to get more goals. He has goals in it. He cut his left foot on the inside a few times and landed good shots from distance.

“But as long as he’s producing those goals for us the way he’s doing, we’re more than happy with him. He is another player that I see improving in terms of doing the things that we want him to do.”

Olise is rumored to be a summer target for Arsenal, although Hodgson agreed on Friday that he and 24-year-old Eberechi Eze possess the potential to rise to the same talismanic status as Zaha.

He said: “I think those two players, if they continue to progress like they have, if they continue to squeeze their skills and abilities like they have up until now, why can’t they continue to have the kind of career that Wilf has had?

Like Zaha, who is out of contract with Palace at the end of the season, Hodgson’s future with the club remains uncertain.

He didn’t dispute his tenure, but he did admit that working with this Eagles team, and all but guaranteeing their safety Saturday when they reached the 40-point mark, has lifted his spirits as much as the 75-year-old apparently has lifted theirs. resulting in four wins, a draw and a single loss since his arrival.

He added: “I was enjoying my life. I love my wife and I really enjoy her company, so there is no problem with that. But it was nice to be invited back into this environment that I’ve been a part of for so long and still enjoy so much.

“Meeting this group of players and being able to work with them has given me an even bigger boost. I have another month to enjoy, which I will.”

West Ham supporters might have hoped their relegation-fighting side could pick up at least one point at Palace ahead of a challenging run that will see them take on both Manchester City and Manchester United and take on AZ Alkmaar in the match. first leg of their Europa Conference League semifinal. -final.

Saturday’s meeting at Selhurst Park was the Irons’ third in seven days, and while boss David Moyes refused to blame fatigue entirely as a factor, he conceded that the congestion “probably didn’t help us.”

He said: “I don’t think anyone should underestimate how well Crystal Palace are doing at the moment, how well they are playing.