Allardyce urges Palace star Zaha to block out transfer talk

Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce hopes star winger Wilfried Zaha will stay at Selhurst Park despite reports suggesting the Ivorian is seeking a move to a bigger club.

The Ivory Coast international has been in fine form recently as he has helped the Eagles to successive victories over Middlesbrough, West Brom, Watford and Chelsea.

Allardyce has warned his star man not to let the attention, good or bad, affect his performances for Palace as they look to avoid the drop.

But the former England boss admitted he is unsure whether the winger will pen a new deal – likely to be offered by chairman Steve Parish – with a host of other clubs vying for his signature in the summer.

(Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

“Hopefully Wilf is not listening to all that the papers are saying, good or bad. And that it doesn’t distract him from the performances he is giving,” said Allardyce.

“Whether Wilf accepts that (potential new deal), maybe on the basis that he likes this club and what the club’s done for him, only time will tell.

“So come the end of the season, make sure we are in the Premier League and those talks can take place, but until then shut up about it.

“If there is any real interest, that interest will be portrayed to Steve. At the moment it’s all about creating speculation.

“You don’t want it to affect the player’s focus. I’ve seen it at some clubs when a player thinks they are moving and switches off.

“There’s a lot of talk about him: I just hope it doesn’t distract him.”