According to a recent report by the Evening Standard, Tottenham Hotspur have ended their chase for Crystal Palace speedster Wilfried Zaha this summer. The same source has revealed that Spurs have cooled their interest after learning about Palace’s whopping £100m valuation of the player.
The Ivory Coast forward still has four years left in his contract at Selhurst Park so the Eagles will be under no pressure to part ways with him in this offseason. Thus, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see Roy Hodgson slap such a high price tag on his prized asset.
Zaha’s Impressive Season In The Top Tier Of England
Zaha has enjoyed another outstanding season under Hodgson’s tutelage after putting in a series of match-winning displays for the Selhurst-outfit during the recently concluded Premier League campaign. The 26-year-old has featured in 36 matches for the London outfit this term, finding the back of the net on ten occasions while grabbing ten assists across all competitions.
The Abidjan born talent has represented Ivory Coast in nine international matches and has registered two goals for his nation so far. What makes Zaha such a useful asset for Hodgson is his versatility to play in multiple positions across the frontline. He primarily operates as a right-winger but is equally comfortable filling in on the left or play as an out and out centre-forward up top.
What Does The Ivory Coast Winger Offer On The Pitch?
Zaha has bags of pace under his belt which helps him make some well-timed runs behind the opposition half. He is always willing to work hard and run the channels to provide an ideal outlet for his teammates on the counter. The Ivory Coast winger can pick out a final pass and is also an accomplished finisher inside the opposition penalty box.
However, one can question whether Zaha is maximising his true potential at Selhurst Park thus far. Even though he has the makings of a top-class attacker, the Ivorian forward is yet to challenge for the Premier League’s golden boot. A player of his ability should be at the top of the English top-flight’s goal-scoring charts, but Zaha has failed to do so time and time again which has cast a doubt over his ability to succeed at the highest level.
Did Pochettino Make The Correct Decision By Ending His Pursuit Of Zaha?
Tottenham are in dire need of players with prior UEFA Champions League experience so that they can compete on all fronts next season. Zaha is yet to prove his value in Europe, so he might not be an ideal option for Spurs at this moment. Thus, Pochettino made the right move by dropping his interest in the Palace star as he is not worth his inflated £100m price tag.
