Crystal Palace WILL listen to offers for Wilfried Zaha this summer

Crystal Palace WILL listen to offers for Wilfried Zaha now they’re finally able to cope without him after the emergence of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze… and they could cash in this summer instead of losing him for NOTHING next year

  • Crystal Palace will be open to offers for talisman Wilfried Zaha this summer
  • Zaha’s deal is due to expire in summer of 2023, where he can leave for nothing
  • There’s a growing sense at Palace they may finally be able to cope without him
  • Emergence of Olise and Eze has ended the ‘one-man team’ accusations at Palace
  • And while Zaha remains their best player, they will be willing to listen to offers 

Whisper it, but a Crystal Palace without Wilfried Zaha is becoming an increasingly more acceptable scenario behind the scenes at Selhurst Park.

But here’s the catch: he remains their best player. For all of the progress they’ve made in building a team far less reliant on Zaha’s brilliance there remains an acknowledgement that the supremely gifted 29-year-old continues to be their standard bearer.

Yet, there is a growing sense that maybe, just maybe, Palace can finally cope without their iconic talisman.

Crystal Palace will be open to offers for talismanic forward Wilfried Zaha this summer

Crystal Palace will be open to offers for talismanic forward Wilfried Zaha this summer

The emergence of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, who can both occupy the positions Zaha does, has once and for all ended the ‘one-man team’ accusations that have irritated so many at Palace.

There was a point in time where it was hard to argue to the contrary. Not any more.

Palace’s sporting director Dougie Freedman deserves his share of credit for that; his revamping of the club’s scouting department pivotal towards the unearthing of Eze and Olise, as well as Marc Guehi and Tyrick Mitchell – who have both gone onto make their full England debuts.

Freedman is fast developing a reputation of being one of the best emerging football administrators in English football – yet he arguably faces his most delicate challenge to date when he confronts how to best approach the issue of Zaha’s future.

Perhaps the most prevalent piece of information is that Palace are open to offers for Zaha this summer, particularly given his contract expires at the end of next season when he can leave for nothing. 

Michael Olise (pictured) can occupy the position Zaha fills

Eberechi Eze is also a real talent at Palace

The emergence of Michael Olise (left) and Eberechi Eze (right) has once and for all ended the ‘one-man team’ accusations that have irritated so many at Palace

Palace’s sporting director Dougie Freedman (pictured) deserves his share of credit for revamping the club’s scouting department pivotal towards the unearthing of Eze and Olise

Palace’s sporting director Dougie Freedman (pictured) deserves his share of credit for revamping the club’s scouting department pivotal towards the unearthing of Eze and Olise

But in many ways, not much has changed; they’ve always been open to selling, dating back to when Zaha infamously tried to force a move away in 2019 – but the fact of the matter is no club matched their valuation.

Whatever price tag Palace place on Zaha’s head will determine whether there is a substantial market for the forward.

There is doubt that given his age, and the fact he is available for nothing in 2023, that any rival club would be willing to pay the amount for a player, who despite his contractual situation, is still viewed internally as their best player.

That said, there is an acceptance that this summer – given the rapid rise of Olise and Eze – could be the time to say goodbye to Zaha to ensure that they don’t lose an asset that they once valued at £80million for free.

For that reason, perhaps Palace will be more pliable with regards to how much they will accept for Zaha.

And while Zaha remains their best player, they will be willing to listen to offers this summer

And while Zaha remains their best player, they will be willing to listen to offers this summer

Whatever happens, the south London club have kept their end of the bargain; they’ve built a team able to compete with the Premier League’s elite.

Monday’s 3-0 win over Arsenal, in which Zaha was magnificent, their four points from Manchester City and an FA Cup semi final testament to that.

Palace, with or without Zaha, are going places. Zaha can see that.

He’d previously been steadfast in his decision not sign a new contract at the club – but there is a growing feeling that Palace’s development under Patrick Vieira may have softened his stance. Quite how much – we’re about to find out.

source: dailymail.co.uk