Owen Coyle confident of keeping Johan Elmander
Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle says he is confident of keeping striker Johan Elmander at the club despite stalled negotiations over a new contract.
Elmander's current deal with the club will expire at the end of the season, which will allow the front man to leave the club on a free. Media reports have linked Elmander with a number of other English
and European clubs.
Bolton's chairman Phil Gartside has already hinted that the club may have to look at offloading players in the near future as a way of breaking even. Coyle insists that Elmander will not be one player
forced to make way.
"He is in the last year of his contract and he is well within his rights to let that run its course if he so deems.
But I speak to him every day on the training ground and we have a very good relationship. I'm comfortable with the situation," Coyle told
Sky Sports.
Although contract negotiations between Elmander and the club haven't started, Coyle says he is very confident that a new deal will be a formality. He also says there are
no indications from the player that he wants to leave the club any time soon.
"We haven't got to that stage yet [start of talks] but we will continue the dialogue.
Yes he does [give the impression of wanting to stay], but footballers are strange characters in many ways.
I have been there myself and sometimes when you are in a run of form you don't want too many distractions," added Coyle.
Elmander has played in 13 games so far this season and has scored six goals in the process. This is just below a goal every two games, which is a ratio that will keep him
in the Bolton team. It also proves he is productive in the Premier League and the club should do everything possible to make sure he stays.
Betting advice
Back Elmander to score in at any time against any club. He's one of Bolton's best players and should maintain his consistency all the time he's at the club.
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