Former Crystal Palace chief makes Wilfried Zaha Real Madrid claim

Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan believes that Wilfried Zaha could have played for Real Madrid with his talent.

However, Jordan also believes it would be the wrong decision for the 30-year-old to leave the Premier League and ply his trade in Saudia Arabia at this stage of his career.

It was reported yesterday by the Daily Mail that Zaha has been offered a deal worth £9million a season offer – after tax – by Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.

Real Madrid have won 14 Champions Leagues in their history.

Zaha – Palace’s record goalscorer and appearance holder in Premier League history – is set to be a free agent at the end of the season, with his Selhurst Park deal expiring.

“Wilfried Zaha could have played for Real Madrid – he’s that good,” Jordan said on his talkSPORT show.

“Wilfried Zaha, I don’t think, should go to Saudi Arabia. I think I would much prefer him to operate at the highest level because I know he’s good enough.

“If Wilfried Zaha is happy with his career, who are you, who am I, or who are all of these know-nothings about Wilfried Zaha’s view is, to tell him what he should or should not do.

“I give him a pass because I think, in this instance, he has a right to make a decision.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD