“Wilf Zaha would not be guaranteed starter in my old team” – Andy Gray makes big claim about Crystal Palace star

BY ALESSANDRO SCHIAVONE

Andy Gray is convinced that Wilfried Zaha will go down as a Crystal Palace legend – but has expressed doubts as whether he would have been a guaranteed starter in their team of the early 90s.

Gray, who is highly thought of for his playing days in SE25, feels that the Eagles faithful should look no further than Zaha when it comes to earmarking the next player who has defined an era.

But despite lavishing praise on the Ivory Coast international, who was born the same year as when Gray left Palace for Tottenham in 1992, he is unsure where Zaha would have fitted into Steve Coppell’s famous side.

Gray said: “Wilfried Zaha will definitely go down as a Palace legend. From 2016 up until now, he has performed and is a great player. But I don’t know [if he would have been a regular in my side]. There were so many big characters, that maybe not.

“Our side didn’t rely on one player, so when people weren’t doing what they were supposed to do they’d be shut down.

“We wouldn’t take things so easy, everybody had to put a shift in and contribute.

“I am not saying he wouldn’t contribute – Zaha is a great player – but he wouldn’t have been the biggest ego on the pitch.”

Only last month Zaha reiterated his desire for a new challenge and his form could finally earn him his long-awaited move to a club involved in European competition, if the hierarchy decides to sanction a move.

Gray also believes that Zaha’s failure to make his mark at Manchester United has sparked something in him.

He is now an incisive and enterprising game-changer who splits defences open thanks to an enviable combination of strength, pace and trickery.

Gray has warned Zaha that elsewhere he may no longer be “the main star anymore” and that he would be reprimanded for missing a gilt-edged chance instead of passing the ball to someone who is in a better position to score.

Gray added: “Failure sometimes is good for you, because you get to realise your mistakes and learn on the job.

“Zaha has gone to Man United for a lot of money, £15million, and had a lot of pressure. He came back to familiar surroundings and felt comfortable, it’s easy, he played without any fear.

“If he does leave Palace it might be difficult for him, because he might not get the freedom he gets at Palace.

“But I don’t think it has much to do with replicating the same form at bigger clubs. I just think that when you go to a better side, there’s other players on your level, you’re not the main star anymore.

“It all comes down to egos. Imagine if he went to Man United now and he’s got people like Rashford? If he doesn’t pass the ball to him, because he’s doing his stuff which does well for Palace, Marcus might not be happy. But if he does that at Palace no-one says anything, because he’s the one making things happen.”

Gray also urged the club to offer Christian Benteke a contract extension in a bid to prevent the out-of-contract Belgian centre-forward leaving for free this summer. The 57-year old said: “It comes down to finances. At the end of the day, they paid an extra amount of money for him, plus his wages.

“He’s not a bad player, so from a business point of view it makes sense to put him on a contract to then look to sell him.”