Even though Crystal Palace manager, Roy Hodgson had welcomed club interests for Wilfried Zaha previously, the Eagles are reluctant to let him go this January. The Ivorian international’s feat in a Palace jersey has been nothing short of magnificent for the past 2 seasons and is one of the best players at the club under Roy Hodgson.
Palace chairman Steve Parish told Sky Sports, “It would be a stupid thing to do and I know I may be a lot of things but I like to think I’m not stupid. Why would we risk our position in this league?”
This is a big blow to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City’s January transfer plans and they might start looking elsewhere.
Arsene Wenger had previously pursued Zaha in 2013 only to be beaten by Alex Ferguson’s £15m bid and opting to play for the Red Devils. Zaha’s stint at Manchester United did not go according to plan falling out of favour with the newly appointed manager, David Moyes even before the season started. He registered only 4 appearances under him before eventually returning to his boyhood club.
Zaha signed a 5-year deal with Palace last summer and is a crucial component of the team under Roy Hodgson. He registered 7 goals and 11 assists for the Eagles and helped them avoid relegation last season.
Palace started the current season poorly heavily affected by the knee injury to Zaha. After his recovery and the appointment of Roy Hodgson as head coach, the Eagles have hit the ground running in recent weeks and sprung themselves out of the relegation zone.
Zaha is as flamboyant and shifty as any winger can get. With an arsenal of skills and bolstering pace, he is a defender’s nightmare on his best days and deserves a second shot at an elite level club.
Keeping him is the best decision for a side who are always in the danger of being pulled into a relegation battle. However, things have turned around at Selhurst Park with Palace cruising in the 14th spot of the Premier League. They have just registered one loss in their last 11 games and have started the year on a promising note.
Christian Benteke has scored just one goal for the Eagles this season and needs the supply of Zaha to improve upon that tally. The winger’s presence makes everyone in the team better and cannot be replaced even with the transfer fee he will bring in. Glaziers fans can rest easy at least till the end of the season.
