MICHY’S CARELESS TALK DOESN’T
ROY HODGSON reckons Michy Batshuayi needs to choose his words more carefully when he goes on international duty.
The Crystal Palace striker told Belgian media last week he feels a lot of trust from boss Roberto Martinez that he does not feel at club level.
He said: “I get a breath of renewed energy when I come into the national team, because it’s very hard for me at my club.” But Palace boss Hodgson, who takes his side to Everton today, hit back: “Any time a player who is not getting a game here, and is obviously unhappy about it, I’d expect when he’s with the national team, especially if he does very well, to get the question: ‘Why aren’t you playing back there?’.
“Then you expect him to say what Michy said. After 45 years I expect that and have come to terms with it.
“But I would advise people who go away and say that to be a little bit careful.
“Because playing 60 minutes against
Belarus and scoring one of eight goals is not quite the same as coming on against Everton and helping us to a 3-0 win by scoring a couple.
“I would put that in a different league in terms of achievement.”
Hodgson has been impressed with the squad his old mate Carlo Ancelotti has put together at Everton.
Although he is adamant there is no jealousy when he sees rivals managers bringing in world-renowned stars such as James Rodriguez.
Hodgson said: “No, I don’t, feel that way. You need to be realistic and pragmatic.
“When you go into a job you have fairly clear ideas yourself of what’s going to be possible and what the club is going to be able to do in terms of supporting you.’’