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Wilfried Zaha is most fouled Premier League player since start of 2015/16

Tottenham Hotspur's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino and Crystal Palace's English manager Roy Hodgson watches his players from the touchl...
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Surprise stats confirm Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha is one of the trickiest attacking players to handle in the Premier League right now.

Wilfred Zaha of Crystal Palace applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Watford and Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road on April 21, 2018 in Watford, England.

It surely will not be long before bigger clubs get serious about signing Wilfried Zaha after another fine season for Crystal Palace.

The 25-year-old has had his critics throughout his career but may well earn himself another shot at the big time following various links with the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur this year.

The Daily Mail recently reported that City are taking a close look at the former Manchester United winger, while the same publication has also linked Tottenham with a possible bid for him this summer.

Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace runs with the ball away from Kiko Femenia of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford and Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road on April 21, 2018...

As well as his seven goals and two assists this season for a struggling Palace side, it is this stat from Sky Sports that truly indicates how much of a handful he is when he is in full flow.

Zaha has been fouled a remarkable 282 times since the start of the 2015/16 season; more than any other player in the Premier League, with big names like Eden Hazard, Dele Alli and Alexis Sanchez his nearest competitors.

This suggests defenders really do not know any other way to stop the Ivory Coast international, who is an absolute joy to watch with the ball at his feet.

Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace reacts during the Premier League match between Watford and Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road on April 21, 2018 in Watford, England.

Question marks remain over his end product – although this has improved – as well as his mentality, but stats like this give an idea of how much he could do if given the chance to play regularly for a top side.

It did not work out for him at United for various reasons but Zaha is a special talent and it would be little surprise to see him wind up at City, Tottenham or another big six club this summer.