After being heavily linked with Arsenal, Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha is now a target for Everton. Mirror Football have reported that the Toffees’ £50 million bid for the Ivory Coast international has been rejected by Palace. The report further states that Crystal Palace want £60 million for the winger and all of it upfront rather than in instalments.
Zaha, who came through the Crystal Palace academy, returned to the club on a permanent deal in 2015 after a disastrous spell at Manchester United. He has become one of the best wingers in the league, scoring 10 goals and registering 10 assists last season.
While we believe Palace will go after a goal-scoring striker with the money they make from Zaha’s sale, let’s take a look at three options to take his place on the wings.
Harry Wilson
One of the best players in the Championship last season, Harry Wilson was one of Frank Lampard’s best loan signings in his one-year stint as Derby County manager. The 22-year-old Liverpool winger ended the 2018-19 Championship season with 18 goals and 6 assists, helping Derby reach the Championship play-off finals.
Now back at Liverpool, Wilson has to bide his time to get an opportunity in the first team as the Reds have several players in wide areas and many ahead of the young Welshman in the pecking order. Wilson is a technically skilful winger who can score fantastic goals and also has the vision to pick out a teammate with a clever pass. Aston Villa and Newcastle United are keen on signing the winger, who could be available for around £25m, according to the Mirror.
Ryan Sessegnon
Ryan Sessegnon has racked up over 100 appearances for Fulham at just 19 years of age, and it seems like he will most likely have a future away from Fulham. The teenage winger – who can also play as a full-back – is ready to step up to the next level and will hope to put his club’s woeful 2018-19 season, where they were relegated from the Premier League, behind him and take his career forward.
A quick and skilful winger, Sessegnon has the vision, composure to pick passes and be a threat on goal. Still not the finished article, the young Englishman could benefit and blossom under manager Roy Hodgson at Palace. Sessegnon scored twice and provided six assists in the 2018-19 season for Fulham but it was the 2017-18 season in the Championship where he came to the spotlight, scoring 16 goals and providing 8 assists.
Michail Antonio
The third option to replace Wilfried Zaha is an experienced Premier League player who has made over 100 appearances in the Premier League and scored 28 goals – West Ham United’s Michail Antonio. Antonio has made his way to the top tier of English football the hard way, playing in non-league football before moving up the leagues and joining West Ham United from Nottingham Forest in 2015.
A quick winger who has great work-rate and the tenacity to fight for every ball, Antonio could be a good addition to the Palace squad. Antonio is a good finisher and a lethal threat in counter-attacking situations, while also being strong in the air.
