Roy Hodgson speaks out on Crystal Palace duo’s future amid Chelsea and Spurs links

Crystal Palace have ‘no desire’ to sell Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze amid Chelsea and Tottenham interest

Roy Hodgson says Crystal Palace have ‘no desire’ to sell their best players amid interest from Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham.

On the eve of the new Premier League season, two of Palace’s key assets are linked with leaving Selhurst Park, namely Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze.

Olise has reportedly agreed terms with Chelsea, though the Blues have had an opening offer of £26million turned down.

But this will be a story to follow as it is said that the young winger has a £35m release clause – something that has also peaked the interest of City who are looking at Riyad Mahrez replacements.

As for Eze, the England international has been tentatively linked with Spurs who could be set to pursue the attacking midfielder now that Harry Kane is departing for Bayern Munich.

Having already lost legendary talisman Wilfried Zaha this summer, Palace are determined to keep hold of their brightest attacking talents who excelled last season.

‘It would be a bitter blow now if we had to start the season with other of our top players being tempted away from us, or other clubs coming in and persuading Crystal Palace to sell them,’ Hodgson said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.

‘There is no desire to sell any of those players, and we cannot avoid speculation that other clubs will be interested in players of that quality.’

Olise recorded 11 league assists, a feat only bettered by Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah and Leandro Trossard, while Eze was the Eagles’ top scorer with 10 goals.

There is also interest in Palace’s centre-backs Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen from a variety of top Premier League clubs.

And while 21-year-old Olise is heavily tipped to leave, the move to Chelsea could be scuppered by his hamstring injury which Hodgson says will keep him out for a considerable period of time.

Palace kick-off their season away to Sheffield United on Saturday.