Recent reports from Goal suggest that Everton are keen on signing Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha in the upcoming transfer window as Carlo Ancelotti looks set to add to his attacking options.
The report further states that the Ivory Coast international could be available for less than £40 million ($57 million) as he has just two years remaining on his present contract. However, with fifteen players set to be out of contract next month, it is quite obvious that the Eagles will look to keep Zaha at Selhurst Park for at least one more season. Furthermore, with Tottenham Hotspur also interested in the same player, it isn’t going to be an easy buy for the Toffees.
In an interview with The Face last week, Zaha expressed his willingness to pick up a new challenge.
“I feel like I can have another shot at the top teams because my dream is to win things.” – The 28-year-old stated.
“I’m good enough to go out there and compete with the best.”
“If the opportunity came, I wouldn’t turn it down because I feel like I deserve it. It’s so I can show my kids: ’This is what daddy won’.”
Zaha’s Season At The Selhurst Park
With 11 goals and 2 assists in thirty league appearances, Wilfried Zaha enjoyed the most productive season of his career this term. He has managed to put up some awe-inspiring numbers on the board – averaging 2 shots, 1 key pass, 1.8 dribbles, 0.2 crosses and 0.3 long balls per 90 minutes in the English top-flight. Furthermore, with 24.5 passes played per game with a success rate of 78.3%, the Ivorian has been one of the best passers of his side this season. Zaha would definitely excel in a better system with a better set of payers around him – something Ancelotti is well aware of.
It goes without saying that the 28-year-old has played an instrumental role in helping Roy Hodgson’s side secure 14th place, and an average WhoScored rating of 6.88 only highlights how impressive his overall game has been this season.
Is He Needed At Goodison Park?
Given Everton’s dependency on Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, Carlo Ancelotti must prioritise the signing of a new attacker in the upcoming transfer window who is more than capable of breaking into Everton’s starting eleven – and Zaha fits the bill perfectly.
With attributes like pace, dribbling, and vision – the Ivory Coast international can make chance creation and conversion easier if used to his strengths. He might even help the Toffees challenge for major silverware in the future. Furthermore, he’ll also bring some much-needed competition for both James Rodriguez and Alex Iwobi, as the duo has been inconsistent throughout the season.
At 28, Zaha still has a lot to offer, so the Everton board should definitely try and get this deal over the line in the summer.
(Stats from WhoScored)
