Source: Daily_Mail
Danny Murphy fears Bobby Zamora exit: but Fulham skipper admits he won't stand in his way
Danny Murphy has urged the Fulham hierarchy to do everything in their power to ensure that Bobby Zamora is not tempted to leave Craven Cottage this summer. [LNB]Zamora's well taken strike in the first minute of last night's clash with Wolfsburg was enough to see off the German champions and book the Cottagers' place in the semi-finals of the Europa League. [LNB]Zamora now has 19 goals for the season and his manager Roy Hodgson has tipped the 29-year-old to be in contention for Fabio Capello's World Cup squad. [LNB] Bobby's on the beat: Zamora has scored 19 goals this season [LNB]Murphy admits that Zamora, whose contract runs out at the end ofnext season, could be a target for other Barclays Premier League sidesthis summer. [LNB]He believes Fulham must do their best to keep the striker at theclub if they are to continue their remarkable progress that has seenthem go from relegation candidates to European semi-finalists within atwo-year period. [LNB]'He has been our best player by far this season. He's causing bigproblems for so called top-class defenders week in week out," said theFulham captain of Zamora.[LNB]'The only worry for us now is whether we will be able to keep hold of him but let's hope that we can. [LNB] Flying start: Zamora opened the scoring in Germany after just 20 seconds[LNB][LNB]'I'd be surprised if there aren't clubs coming in for him thissummer. 'There are financial restrictions at every club. Fulham can'tcompete with a club like Man City, obviously, so you have to berealistic but Bobby is an important part of the team and I think it isimportant that we keep all our best players at the club.' [LNB]Zamora looked set to leave Craven Cottage last summer after the clubaccepted a bid from Hull for the striker following a dreadful firstseason in which he scored only four times in 41 appearances. [LNB]Murphy admits Fulham would not be able to stand in Zamora's way if abigger club came in for the Londoner this summer though. [LNB]Flying high: Fulham skipper Danny Murphy [LNB][LNB]'We want him to stay but of course the flip side of that is if aso-called bigger or more successful club than Fulham come in for himthen you can't stand in his way," said Murphy, who will face his oldside Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. [LNB]'But I think that Bobby wants to stay, he's happy. He showed greatdesire to stay at the club by rejecting the move to Hull and thingshave gone from strength to strength for him now.'[LNB]Fulham face Liverpool and Wolves in the league before travelling toHamburg for the first leg of their first ever European semi-final onApril 22. [LNB]If Fulham are to progress to the final, which is also being held inHamburg, they will have to deal with the threat posed by formerManchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy. [LNB]The 33-year-old has become an instant hit with the Hamburg fans byscoring four goals in three starts since moving from Real Madrid inJanuary. [LNB]Murphy knows the threat the Dutchman will pose but insists Fulhamfear no-one having accounted for the likes of Shakhtar Donetsk,Juventus and Wolfsburg to reach the semi-finals. [LNB]'Ruud Van Nistelrooy is a top-class striker who I have playedagainst many times and he is a great finisher but they are going tohave lots of players," said the 33-year-old. [LNB]'Hamburg are a progressing club. They have a great stadium but weare at that stage now where we don't fear anybody. We have come a longway and we have beaten some good teams along the way. [LNB]'Nobody gave us a chance this season to get this far and wetherefore have to go into this match with a carefree attitude andbelieve we can win because we can win.' [LNB] Premier League may extend parachute payments for relegated clubsLiverpool v FULHAM: Bobby Zamora and Simon Davies could both miss out following Euro winWolfsburg 0 Fulham 1 (agg 1-3): Zamora's stunner books Hamburg dateFulham winger Damien Duff targets Euro glory after World Cup heartacheFULHAM FC
