When Wilfried Zaha left Manchester United in 2014 after a terrible first season for the Red Devils, many thought that he was not cut out for Premier League football and a top club like Manchester United. But the English-born Ivory Coast international has proved his doubters wrong, and in some style, playing with verve, fearlessness and dominating opposition defences in recent seasons.
And after a couple of impressive seasons, it looks like the 26-year-old wants another crack at playing for a top club and in the Champions League. Zaha has reportedly told the Palace chairman that he wants to leave the club in the summer to play for a Champions League side. The report states that Palace may be holding out for a fee of around £80 million for the attacker, which has worried Zaha as clubs may not pay such a large sum for him.
The former Manchester United player started 34 games in the Premier League, scoring 10 times and also assisting 5 goals, helping the club to a 12th place finish in the league. The winger has been linked with a switch to Arsenal, while Tottenham are also reportedly interested in signing him.
Why Manchester City should make a move for Wilfried Zaha
Zaha is a player who likes to take defenders on with his pace and dribbling when playing off the left-hand side. He has improved significantly in key areas since his ill-fated Manchester United spell, especially in decision-making and his final ball.
With rumours recently suggesting that City’s left-sided attacker Leroy Sane, is edging towards a move to Bayern Munich, the Premier League champions will need someone to replace him. While it may be a tough call to gamble on a player like Zaha, who did not step up to the plate at Manchester United, it must be noted that the winger moved to United at a young age, with no Premier League experience, and to a team in transition.
We’ve seen that Zaha has the technique, skill and talent to be a top player in the league, but it is his inconsistency and possibly the mental aspect of the game that needs coaching. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is known to get the best out of his players, especially the gifted ones like Zaha (Raheem Sterling has grown as a player by leaps and bounds under Guardiola), and he will only make the Ivorian international a better player.
Zaha can become one of the most feared wingers in the world, let alone England, under a manager like Guardiola. While the price tag that is now rumoured is around £80 million – which seems far too much for a player like Zaha – we believe if he is intent on making a move, there might be a situation where Palace could be forced to reduce their asking price.