Roy Hodgson hopes Mamadou Sakho can become a talismanic figure in Crystal Palace’s bid to climb the Premier League table.
The Eagles could set a new record for the longest start to a season without a goal in top-flight history at high-flying Manchester City on Saturday.
New Palace boss Hodgson will be banking on Christian Benteke to end his six-game league goal drought – but also tipped former Liverpool centre-back Sakho to shore up his side’s defensive effort.
Roy Hodgson hopes Mamadou Sakho can become key in Crystal Palace’s bid to climb the table
New Palace boss Hodgson tipped centre-back Sakho to shore up his side’s defensive effort
The Eagles could set a new record for the longest start to a season without a goal at Man City
Sakho will make his first Premier League start since his permanent Palace switch, with Hodgson hailing the 27-year-old’s Selhurst Park impact.
‘I heard so many good things about him, and had seen him play for Liverpool and Palace last year, but I can understand why he’s made himself a bit of a favourite with the fans,’ said Hodgson.
‘The centre of defence has been reasonably strong, but he does strengthen that area of our team. We hope, with his quality and his leadership qualities, he helps us move away from the relegation zone. He is match fit. He will start.’
Palace remain goalless and pointless after their five opening league clashes, but at least managed to claim a Carabao Cup victory over Huddersfield on Tuesday night.
Hodgson hopes the Eagles’ first win of his tenure can now prove the catalyst to better times in the league, as the south Londoners seek to move past Frank de Boer’s short-lived and fruitless time at the helm.
Palace now face City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle in a daunting Premier League run – but Hodgson insisted he will not set a points target for that challenging schedule.
Hodgson confirmed Wilfried Zaha remains on course to be fit to face Chelsea on October 14
‘Set yourself a points target? That would be setting us up to fail,’ said Hodgson. ‘We all know how good those top teams are. It will be a tough ask.
‘The pressure is never off. That would be foolish. We need points. We need performances. The players are playing for places in the team, to impress me and my coaching staff.
‘We should be embracing the challenge but, realistically, we know they have a better chance on paper than we do. But the game isn’t played on paper.’
Hodgson confirmed Wilfried Zaha remains on course to be fit to face Chelsea on October 14, as he continues his recovery from knee trouble.
‘He’s coming on very well I believe,’ said Hodgson.’It would be nice for him to be back for Chelsea, but he’ll have to be in agreement with the doctors and feel he is ready.’