Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to react after Andros Townsend shed some light on the club’s concerning contract situation.
The Eagles have a number of first-team players out of contract in July, while Roy Hodgson’s deal is also set to expire.
Worryingly, the likes of Christian Benteke, Patrick van Aanholt, Gary Cahill, Jeffrey Schlupp, Mamadou Sakho, Joel Ward, James McArthur, James McCarthy and others will leave for nothing in July, as things stand.
Transfermarkt proves the above, and also shows the other players who have just weeks remaining on their contracts.
Speaking about the situation on talkSPORT, Townsend said: “We’ve been told as players that they are going to make decisions towards the end of the season. We’re contracted until July 1st so until then we have to give everything for the cause.
“At the moment Palace are speaking to nobody so we’re all in the same boat. You don’t speak about other clubs, you just let your agent deal with it. I’ve let my agent deal with it.”
From our point of view, the Eagles are giving themselves a mountain to climb by leaving all of these renewals until the last minute.
However, there is some sense to it.
If Steve Parish isn’t planning to keep Hodgson around, then why tie some players down to new contracts before a new manager is hired?
Realistically, the south Londoners could renew Benteke’s contract – for example – only for someone like Eddie Howe to arrive and decide the Belgian isn’t in his plans.
Of course, it leaves Palace with plenty of work to do once the season is over, and it’s also unfair to leave the likes of Townsend and others in the dark.
However, it does have to wait until Parish knows who he wants in charge next season, in our view.
Let’s see what the Palace fans on Twitter have been saying about Townsend’s comments…
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
