Parker confirms Prem move wish

Parker confirms Prem move wish

Published Jun. 5, 2011 9:15 a.m. ET

Parker will hold talks with the new Hammers boss to discuss his future, which he admitted must lie in the Premier League if he is to keep his international place. "Oh yeah, for sure," the midfielder said after Saturday's 2-2 draw with Switzerland. "That where everyone wants to play, in the Premier League, and I'm no different. "I'm sure he'll give me a call and we'll go through things." Parker's departure from West Ham appeared a foregone conclusion the moment they were relegated. There will be so shortage of suitors for the Footballer of the Year, with Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal all linked with him. But Parker insisted he had yet to give any though to where he might end up. "As soon as that game ended, I think my main focus was having a rest and just shutting the body down, really," he said. "It's been a long, hard season for the majority of the players in there. "So, looking forward to getting away with the family and just chilling out a little bit." Despite his desire to leave, the 30-year-old backed the appointment of Allardyce, who will be charged with returning the Hammers to the top flight at the first attempt. "I think his credentials speak for themselves," Parker said. "It's obviously a big signing for the club and a very good one. "I'm sure the manager will do very, very well." And even if he joins a Premier League club this summer, Parker knows he faces a fight to keep his England place, with Steven Gerrard set to return from injury next season. "All I can do, like I've said before, is keep trying to put in good performances," said Parker, who earned his sixth cap in Saturday's European Championship qualifier at Wembley. The game saw England forced to come from 2-0 down but they should have won in the end, with Darren Bent missing what was virtually an open goal. "It was a strange game, really," said Parker. "We conceded two goals in the first half, which was difficult. "Second half, we were pretty much on top and, on our chances, probably should've won the game. "Obviously, a little disappointed that we didn't get the three points but I think there were some positives out of it." Manager Fabio Capello blamed tiredness for England's sloppy display and Parker agreed. "Yes, definitely," he said. "I think there was a little bit. "Towards the end of the game, you could see the last 15 minutes, the spark went a little bit. "We were a little bit flat, were a little bit leggy. "It has been a long season."

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