Roy Hodgson insists the constant speculation surrounding the future of highly-promising Crystal Palace defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka “hasn’t bothered” the player, amidst links with a move to Manchester United at the end of the season.
Man United are expected to be on the hunt for a new right-back ahead of club captain Antonio Valencia’s impending departure, and Wan-Bissaka has burst onto the scene this term – replacing Joel Ward as first-choice right-back.
The 21-year-old has now made 35 appearances for Palace and has made 99 tackles so far in the current Premier League campaign – the joint-highest amount out of any other player.
After the Eagles’ 3-1 win at Burnley on Saturday, Hodgson stressed how happy he is with how Wan-Bissaka is playing despite all of the speculated high-profile interest in his services at such a young age.
What I like about him is that he continues to work hard at his game, and the professionalism he shows. There is the usual speculation when you have a good player, at a club at our level in the table. But for Aaron, it doesn’t seem to have bothered him with the speculation. He is happy to be with us and he has signed a long-term contract.
England manager Gareth Southgate was present at Turf Moor to watch him put on another good display patrolling the right flank, which makes it believable that he could be the latest starlet to be handed an opportunity on the international stage.
