Roy Hodgson has always believed in Andros Townsend even when others have doubted him — and the Palace manager now hopes he has the key to unlocking his talent.
Hodgson gave Townsend his England debut in 2013 and stuck by the winger even when his form for Tottenham dipped.
Townsend himself has admitted there was surprise when he was called up for a friendly against Italy in 2015, a week after he had been substituted just 31 minutes into a game for Spurs against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The winger repaid the faith shown in him by coming off the bench to score a brilliant equaliser and earn England a 1-1 draw in Turin.
Townsend has said Hodgson — the fourth manager he has worked under in less than 18 months at Palace — has always given him confidence and there are already signs he can get the best out of him at Selhurst Park.
The 26-year-old shone in last weekend’s 2-1 win against Chelsea and, while his performance was overshadowed by the return of Wilfried Zaha, he was a real plus for Palace.
It is clear that Hodgson and Townsend click and Hodgson has offered some insight into why. “The chemistry between us is the chemistry I share with a lot of players,” he explained. “That is people who are as serious about their work as I am about mine. He is a natural enthusiast. He loves playing football. I do not think it is hard to get the best out of Andros as long as you ask him to do things on the field of play that are within his register.
In Pictures | Crystal Palace vs Chelsea | 14/10/2017
“His performance against Chelsea was excellent and he deserves to share the plaudits with Wilf.”
Townsend and Zaha played up front against Chelsea and could be paired together again when the former Spurs player returns to another former club, Newcastle, on Saturday.
