Player Vault - Wilfried Zaha

Wilfried Zaha

Probably the Championships best players at the moment.

The Crystal Palace Academy Graduate, come England Under 21 Prospect (or Ivory Coast, expect a battle.) Personally I've seen this boy play live 6 times and several more times on the TV (& I don't support Palace. No, no.) I probably don't need to tell you that a big transfer is on the cards and probably coming his way soon. With the BBC Gossip's Column & The Daily Mail linking the Championship Star to Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, and not to mention the Crystal Palace Co-Chairman Steve Parish on Sky's 'The footballer's football show' last week, much air time was dedicate to the topic of Zaha's potential transfer in 2013 window. 

The boy undoubtedly has talent, he can play as a skillful winger, slinking past defenders, time after time with an assortment of tricks. He can also play up top, when I first saw Zaha (around 2 or 3 years ago,) he played as a striker either being the second or the furthest player forward, as he was only young, he was pushed off the ball by big marauding championship defenders. How times have changed, whilst Wilfred can play up top & do this role well, Palace have 'professional boxers' in Jermaine Easter & Glenn Murray who can play the classic 442 big bloke up top role. Palace have managed to use Zaha's skills to good effect on the wing of a 433/451 (although Palace do use 5 at the back against bigger opposition in recent times.) Dropping that little deeper, Zaha is able to collect and turn on the ball in more space, the absolute last thing players will want to see is Zaha in full flight running at them. The boys finishing is also up there with some really great goals to his name. Looking at Zaha's track record he will be well aware he needs to score more goals to step up to the next level. (Click here to see a corker.)

Season	Total
	Apps	Goals
2009–10	1	0
2010–11	44	1
2011–12	48	9
2012–13	17	4
Total	110	14

Overall I don't think it will be long before Zaha gets a transfer, I just hope the move isn't to top premiership teams bench, i.e. Marvin Sordell move from Watford to Bolton last year. Although I am sure it is comfy, moving to a big club and just warming the bench is the last thing Zaha needs, every time I've seen this boy play he's been noticeable better. If you watch lower league football you'll also have spotted this lad, some of the goals he has scored have indeed been 'Worldies,' although I do not doubt he will want to be known as a great goal scorer rather than a scorer of great goals. 

Realistically money talks, the boy will be off, Palace will be hoping for a loan back, but that isn't likely due to valuation Palace have put on their best player (£7 to £20 million on the rumor mill.) Zaha will see the £$£$ signs and the talk of double or triple your money is unsettling. It's easy to say he should develop himself at a lower level, but the lure of the premiership, money, and the time old excuse of the 'short life of a footballer.' Inevitably this means a move in the new year is likely. 

Ian Holloway is the only manager to mind, that has managed to hold on to a star player this being Charlie Adam at Blackpool, whom he must have promised to let him go after a year or big club bid. With Palace at the top of the Championship, there won't be a better time for Holloway to work his Bristolian magic. Zaha also has 4 years left on his contract so the Cheese Rolls (Eagles) will be hoping that their good form continues and they can try to convince him to stay a while longer. If we are to believe the papers Arsenal, look the most likely to put in a bid at the moment. Another expensive kid to the gunners, I'm sure the fans will be pleased. To finish this article, I would love Zaha to think about all the players that haven't quiet come off at 'The Emirates.' (Vela, Bendtner, Walcott, Denilson, Reyes, Manninger, Sendros to name a few.) Limited playing time, perhaps a mid-table premiership could fit the bill.