It’s all smiles still for Zaha
WILFRIED ZAHA may want to leave but he is still larking about with his Crystal Palace team-mates.
So says midfield pal Jonny Williams – after Zaha was outstanding in Saturday’s 3-1 friendly win at League One Oxford, scoring a wonder goal.
Zaha, right, has asked to leave after failing to agree a new contract.
But Williams said: “Wilf has been fine. He is still taking the mick out of everyone.
“When there is a game to be played, whether that is a pre-season friendly against lower-league opposition or at Stamford Bridge, he’s going to play in it and still do the same job. It is vital to keep him – he’s irreplaceable.” Zaha cancelled out Jon Obika’s goal with a stunning run and shot from 15 yards and Williams said: “I still can’t get over his change of pace for that goal.” Jeffrey Schlupp and Sullay Kaikai scored the other goals. Williams’ own future is in the air after failing to win a place at Selhurst Park in recent seasons – he has been out on loan. Williams said: “It’s hard to judge where I’m at right now. “Roy Hodgson hasn’t said much, really. “I’ve just kept my head down and worked hard.” NAPOLI president Aurelio De Laurentiis says former boss Maurizio Sarri tried to “dismantle” his squad by signing their players for his new club Chelsea.
De Laurentiis did sanction Jorginho’s sale to Chelsea, but said of Sarri, right: “He wanted to take my whole team to England and dismantle it. I had to lay down the law to [Chelsea director] Marina Granovskaia.” AYMERIC LAPORTE admits he felt jealous watching France win the World Cup.
Manchester City defender Laporte was disappointed to miss out on a place in Didier Deschamps’ victorious squad after being called up during the qualifying campaign.
He had pressed his claims by helping City win a Premier League and EFL Cup double after arriving for a then-clubrecord £57million from Athletic Bilbao in January.
“I felt jealous to be honest,” said Laporte when asked how it felt to see his compatriots triumph in Moscow. “The decisions were made and you just have to accept them.
“It didn’t come as a surprise to me that I wasn’t involved. I hadn’t been in the previous squad, but it was still a little disappointing for me not to be involved.
“It was still a really good summer though. I had plenty of relaxing with family and friends. I was really happy to get back home after a tough season.”
Laporte, who was born in Agen in south-west France, has yet to make a senior appearance for Les Bleus despite representing them at every level from Under-17 to U21.
He could opt for Spain because of the eight years he spent with Athletic Bilbao, MICHAEL CARRICK is helping to mould Andreas Pereira into his successor at Manchester United. Pereira is back at Old Trafford after spending last season on loan at Valencia and the midfielder hoping to impress manager Jose Mourinho during the club’s tour of the US. And Carrick, who retired last season to join United’s coaching staff after a glittering 12-year career with them, has taken on the role of mentoring the 22-year-old. “The manager asked me what position I will play and I said I will play any position he would like,” said Pereira. “Now I am in this position as a No 6. I’ll try to do my best and of course everyone is helping me a lot, including the manager, by telling me what to do.
“Michael Carrick is also helping me in every training session and it’s very important.
“It’s not only them, but all of the other coaches as well. They’re helping me a lot and I’m learning new things every day.
“Michael was one of the best in the world and one of the best that Manchester United ever had.
“He gives me tips, he tells me in training what to do and it’s very easy when he tells you. You pick it up straight away and it’s very easy to learn from him.” Pereira has spent the last two seasons in Spain, first with Granada and then Valencia.
And the Brazil youth international says he faces a crucial summer when it comes to his United career as Mourinho finalises his squad for next season.
“It was a very important year for me at Valencia and I learnt a lot,” said Pereira.
“I had a lot of experiences out there and I’m very happy to be back. I’m ready to play.
“This pre-season is very important for the team. We have to prepare very well for what’s coming up next and I am doing my best to get minutes and to show that I am ready.”