John Arne Riise wants Bobby Zamora to stay at Fulham because he’s so crucial to the team.
The England striker has shrugged off speculation about a rumoured row with Martin Jol and says he has no plans to leave Craven Cottage, despite reports linking him with a move away from the club this month. Riise recognises just how important the 30 year-old is to Fulham:
There’s always going to be speculation when there’s a top player. But we want him to stay and we hope he wants to stay as well, because with him in the team we are a different side.
He’s a very good player. We like Bobby as a person, as well as a player. We appreciate his qualities. He’s strong, he’s big. You can always look for him if you’re in trouble. He wins his headers and he can hold the ball up. He’s a handful for defenders and we know that. Bobby Zamora in good form is really important for us. He proved that against Arsenal.
Riise, who admitted he doesn’t read the newspapers, says there’s no problem with team spirit down at Motspur Park.
It’s quite new to me because I don’t read newspapers and don’t really know what’s going on, but the mood is very good. I come into training and everyone’s smiling and happy and enjoying themselves and if there’s anything bad going on, I don’t know anything about it.
I’m always a happy guy when I come in and I try and give that mood to everybody. I’ve been here now five or six months and it’s fantastic coming to training. Team spirit is very high.
