The Eagles are in Premier League action at Selhurst Park tomorrow against the champions.
Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has described Wilfried Zaha as “the best player” at Crystal Palace but has also asked why it has “taken him so long” to get “over the transfer saga” as he sought to leave Selhurst Park in the summer (Sky Sports News).
The Ivory Coast international was reportedly subject of interest by Arsenal and Everton in the last transfer window but Palace rejected the bids, and in the end, Roy Hodgson confirmed that the player wanted to leave but was going to stay put at Selhurst Park for the time being at least (The Guardian).
Zaha has since played the full 90 minutes in all of his club’s Premier League matches in 2019-20, with Palace flying high in sixth place, although he only has one assist to his name so far – he admitted his head was “a bit all over the place at the beginning of the season but I had to nail down and just get on with it because the team deserved that.” (BBC Sport)
Speaking ahead of Palace’s meeting with Manchester City on Saturday, Nicholas commented on Zaha’s great performance two weeks ago and, as well as talking about the Eagles talisman, he also praised Roy Hodgson for masterminding the team’s good form so far, but nonetheless tipped the Citizens for victory.
Two weeks ago Wilfried Zaha had a cracker,” Nicholas wrote on Sky Sports News. “He may have got over the transfer saga, but why has it taken him so long? The Arsenal and Everton deals were dead, but did he want to leave? Of course he did! He is stuck here so that is why he is giving his best.
“He is the best player at Crystal Palace but it shows how individual it can become. Roy Hodgson has done brilliantly to piece it all together. Man City will know Liverpool have a tough game though and will be wondering whether they can take advantage, which they will.”
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