Wilfried Zaha has unsurprisingly been one of Crystal Palace’s inspirational stars throughout the current campaign.
Despite missing large swaths of the season, he has been one of the Eagles’ stand-out performers once again, scoring nine goals alone in the Premier League.
However, it could have been so different had Steve Parish sold the Ivorian to Arsenal.
Zaha has long been linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium, with reports as recently as July 2019 suggesting that he wished to leave Selhurst Park amidst interest from the Gunners.
Should Crystal Palace sell Zaha?
Yes!
No!
Even Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has made his praise of Zaha clear, previously labelling the winger as “phenomenal”.
With Ian Holloway recently appealing for Arsenal to reignite their interest, suggesting that the Londoners purchased the wrong winger when they brought in Nicolas Pepe from Lille, Palace will be glad they held firm.
His importance to Palace has never been understated, with his 45 Premier League goals the most in the club’s history – the next highest is Luka Milivojevic on just 28.
That is exemplified this season with Zaha’s goals alone being worth eight points to Crystal Palace.
Without him, Roy Hodgson’s men would be stuck on 29 points and firmly marooned in the Premier League relegation mire.
With the huge differences in revenue between the top-flight and the Championship, any demotion for a club of Palace’s size really could have been devastating.
Whilst Zaha is rated at £40.5m, the reward for another season in the Premier League is worth far more, the importance of remaining in the top-flight surely outweighs any transfer fee that they may have received for Zaha’s signature.
So, with the Eagles set to profit even more with the vital help of Zaha, the Selhurst Park hierarchy will surely be delighted that they managed to hold onto the 18-cap Ivorian despite Arsenal’s overtures.
AND in more news, read about which other transfer that the Eagles played to perfection…