Luka Milivojevic is hoping Crystal Palace can pull out all the stops this summer to hold on to their star names next season.
Wilfried Zaha has been the subject of renewed speculation linking him with a move away from Selhurst Park, while England U21 right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another name reportedly attracting attention from the Premier League’s big guns.
The Eagles drew 0-0 with Everton on Saturday and are on course for another respectable mid-table finish in the top flight.
But skipper Milivojevic knows how vital it is to retain the likes of Zaha if Palace are to continue progressing next season.
He said: “It is important for any team, not just for us.
“Any team is going to try and keep their best players and that is something which is on the board of the club.
“Again it is not on me but for us as a club it will be very important.
“He (Zaha) is a very good player. He is the second most successful dribbler in the Premier League and he makes people and fans excited because of his skills.
“I am happy to have him as a team-mate. If you play for Palace you would like him to stay.”
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Saturday’s Selhurst encounter with in-form Everton isn’t one likely to live in the memory for long, although Milivojevic felt it was a hard-earned point for his side.
The Serbian midfielder explained: “It was a tough game to be honest. I think in the first half they were the better side.
“In the second half I think we improved from what we showed in the first half. In the end both teams deserved a point.
“When you win against top sides you get more confidence. Today we played against a very good side.
“They play good football, had a lot of possession and they are a good team when they lose the ball.”
He added: “Nothing happens by accident. In the last five games they beat three teams from the top six. They came here and did well, but not enough to get three points.
“They can say that we should have made a better game of it but in the end when you get a point you have to be satisfied.”
Next up for Crystal Palace is a tricky encounter in the Welsh capital against relegation-threatened Cardiff City.
The Bluebirds and former Eagles manager Neil Warnock know they must win the game to have any chance of beating the drop, but they can expect few favours from Milivojevic and his team-mates.
He said: “We are going to prepare for the game in the same way.
“We are going to try and take three points and to finish the season as high as possible.”
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