Zaha is “beyond stats”, deserves big move says teammate Townsend

by Andrew McSteen

Much was discussed about Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha’s future at the beginning of the season with the 27-year-old submitting a transfer request amongst interest from several clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea.

However, after all the column inches, Zaha did not leave, starting the season for Palace and still in SE25 following the winter transfer window.

“After the (summer) window closed Wilf moved on,” said Townsend to talkSPORT. “He loves Palace. He’s a Palace boy and been at the club for however many years, making over 350 appearances.

“But once the window closed his mind was focussed, and it was to do as well as he can for Palace and that is the person he is. For myself, [I think] eventually he will get his big move and nobody at Palace will begrudge him that because he deserves it, but hopefully, we’ve got his talents for longer than this season.”

With his first goal not coming until late November many observers were critical of a sluggish start from the Ivory Coast international, but, for Townsend, it was clear that it was going to take time for him to get going. And despite only registering three strikes all season Townsend says that for a player of Zaha’s quality, there are no ways to record and measure his influence on the team.

“He didn’t really have a pre-season, he came back from the African Cup of Nations and was thrust straight back into the team,” said Townsend. “It took him a while to get going, but for people it was two plus two equals ‘he’s sulking, he wants out, he doesn’t want to play for Crystal Palace’. It took him a while because he didn’t have that fitness but now, we’re starting to see the best of Wilf.

“People like to talk about how Wilf doesn’t score enough goals, but you look at that Newcastle chance – that’s a goal,” said Townsend about Zaha being through on goal against Newcastle United, before being fouled and the opposing defender shown a straight red card.

“There was another one against Arsenal, last minute and [he was] cleaned out – that would have been a goal. So, you start thinking yeah, he may not have scored enough as he should but what is the reason for that? He’s won three or four penalties this season – that doesn’t go on the stats, but he’s made a goal for the team.

“Wilf is beyond stats – he’s incredible and the most talented player I have played with. You only see one side of it but in training every day, I’m probably on the end of a nutmeg almost every session. I have to plead with the Palace media team to cut it and not put it out.

“He’s the most important player in Palace at the moment and long may it continue.”