Patrick Vieira will try to hold on to Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha amidst interest from Chelsea
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has admitted that he and the club would do everything in their power to convince Wilfried Zaha to stay amidst interest from Chelsea. Arsenal are also keeping an eye on the Ivory Coast international’s situation at Selhurst Park.
The 29-year-old is in the final year of his deal with the Eagles. And Palace have been unable to agree to new terms with the forward. The winger has been in fine form in the 2022/23 campaign, which has led to even foreign clubs looking to acquire his services.
Barcelona and Juventus have also been linked with Zaha’s signature. And the forward is keen on Champions League football. However, speaking to the media via the Evening Standard (h/t football.london), Vieira clarified the club’s intentions in wanting to keep their star man.
“Me as a manager and we [as a club] will do everything that we can to convince him to stay with us and to make him understand.
“The next couple of years can be really exciting for the football club, and of course we want him to be part of it. It is about where we want to go next.”
Zaha made his way through the Palace youth academy and got a move to Manchester United in the summer of 2013. However, after failing to break into the Red Devils’ first team, the forward moved back to Palace.
Since his return to Selhurst Park, the 29-year-old has grown in stature year after year. With every passing season, the Ivorian has developed his game further and become a quality player.
In the previous campaign, the winger scored 15 goals and gave two assists in 37 appearances in all competitions for the Eagles. His dribbling abilities can give any defence a run for their money.
At Chelsea, the attack has been underwhelming over the years. We have evidently struggled to find the back of the net regularly. Creativity from the wide is usually provided for us by the wing-backs.
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Zaha would seemingly be a great addition to the left-hand side of our attack. Unfortunately, none of our players has been able to cement their place on the left wing. However, it remains to be seen how the 29-year-old’s saga unfolds in the coming months.
