Freedman: Zaha stay was never in doubt (From News Shopper)

Freedman: Zaha stay was never in doubt

1:14pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Crystal Palace By Nick Gentry

DOUGIE Freedman says there was never any chance of star talent Wilfried Zaha being allowed to leave Selhurst Park on transfer deadline day.

The highly rated 19-year-old has attracted interest from a host of Premier League sides after an impressive start to the season.

But despite two late bids from Bolton, Palace held onto their prize asset and manager Freedman is thankful to the owners for resisting Premiership overtures for Zaha.

He insisted: “It was never in doubt.

“I’ve got a fantastic board who really back me with whatever decision I make, ins or outs, and in this particular case it never really reached me.

“Me and Steve Parish had a brief conversation before the weekend and it just wasn’t the right time for us or the club or the team.

“It wasn’t the right time for anyone to go.”

Despite his tender years, though, Freedman doesn’t think the speculation had any affect on the youngster who continued his recent form with a dazzling display in last night’s 1-1 draw with old foe Brighton.

The Palace boss explained: “Wilfried’s only young, he’s more interested in what DVDs he’s watching and what his mates are doing and he just wants to play football and be around his family right now, so I don’t think it hits him really, the speculation.

“It didn’t affect him on the field and I certainly won’t let it affect him off the field in terms of day-to-day work, so I don’t think there was any problem there.”

There may not have been any outward movement at SE25 but the club were able to extend the loans of Paul McShane and Chris Martin until the end of the season.

Freedman added: “I’m happy to say Paul McShane is going to stay with us for the rest of the year and Chris Martin will as well which is good news.

“We all know where we are financially, it’s difficult.

“But the guys up top have been wonderful in backing me whenever I’ve wanted a loan in.

“We’ve got two experienced players who will stay with us until the end of the season and hopefully help us climb the table.”

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