Zola: Top West Ham Players Not For Sale

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Barclays Premier League: Dean Ashton , West Ham United - Middlesbrough (PA)

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West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola has insisted he will not be forced to sell his best players, despite reports of financial difficulties at Upton Park.

The club have previously admitted that players will be sold in January in order to trim the wage bill in East London, after the club’s Icelandic owners revealed financial problems.

However, Zola claims he has control of who is sold and is adamant that players such as Matthew Upson and Dean Ashton will remain at Upton Park.

"We will consider selling some of them, but we are not going to sell the best players," he is quoted as saying in the press, "They (Ashton and Upson) are among the best players we have."

The Sardinian also insisted that he's confident that the club will continue to improve, even if they're forced to offload talent. He explained: "This club wants to progress, so we are not going to sell our best players. This is what I am told by the club and I trust the club one hundred percent."

With finance an issue in East London, it also appears unlikely that the Hammers will be making any signings. Even so, this is a situation the Irons’ boss appears to be happy with. Zola insisted: "Right now we don't need to bring anyone in. When everyone is back there will be many, so maybe some players will go away to play."

One player who has been linked with a West Ham exit is Herita Ilunga, who reportedly criticised the club this week.

However, his manager, sure that the comments were taken out of context, has backed his player, claiming that the Congolese player remains loyal to the club.

"He is totally committed to what he is doing here and his answers were taken in the wrong way," asserted Zola, before concluding, "He is happy to be here and is looking to sign a contract with the club."

Gill Clark, Goal.com