Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Roy Hodgson sure he’ll keep stars
Saturday 16th April 2011, 11:29AM BST.
Roy Hodgson has insisted Albion will keep their key players if they survive in the Premier League.
Hodgson has led West Brom to the brink of top-flight safety and the Hawthorns head coach is adamant he does not expect to sell any of his leading stars.
Albion will attempt to strengthen their squad in the summer with several of the club’s out-of-favour players set to be available for sale.
But Hodgson is confident of keeping his key first-teamers despite the likely speculation about the futures of Youssouf Mulumbu, Chris Brunt and Peter Odemwingie.
“Our players are under contract for next season so we don’t have any worries about players whose contracts are running out and who we might be in danger of losing,” said Hodgson.
“I would seriously expect, if we stay up, for the club to hold onto the players we have and I would hope that the players want to continue and have another year in the Premier League with us if we’re lucky enough to be there.
“Our conversations are more in terms of what needs to be done next season to improve upon the squad rather than any discussions about any players we might lose because we aren’t anticipating losing them.”
Marek Cech and Abdoulaye Meite are technically out of contract in the summer but the Baggies have an option to extend both deals by a year, meaning neither player will be able to leave unless the club opt to release them.
The same applies to Gianni Zuiverloon and Giles Barnes, whose futures are in doubt after they slipped down the Hawthorns pecking order.
Roman Bednar, who is currently on loan in Turkey with Ankaragucu, looks certain to leave The Hawthorns with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
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As I’ve said before, add to the nucleus of this squad if we stay up, and we’ll be in for some exciting times.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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