da betsson： With the season at a standstill, now is a good time to reflect on a few things we’ve learned across the campaign.
da betway： Today, the focus is on Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, a man who has had plenty written about him this season having handed in a transfer request back in the summer.
It was ultimately a failed transfer attempt as he remained at Selhurst Park, although he sacked his agent – Will Salthouse – and appointed Pini Zahavi in an attempt to force his move, so it seems there’s still legs in this saga.
Anyway, let’s take a look at three things we’ve learned about the Ivorian this season.
Operates better when moved around
Last season, before Jordan Ayew became a man possessed and Christian Benteke was largely injured, Roy Hodgson played Zaha down the middle quite often – 17 times to be exact, as he made 15 appearances at centre-forward and two as a support-striker.
Zaha notched three goals and four assists across both of those positions and ten goals and ten assists in total last term, but this season, he only has three goals and five assists having played just three times in the centre.
It seems as if he is more effective when moved around.
Excellent professional
Despite handing in that aforementioned transfer request, the Ivory Coast international has featured in all 29 of the Eagles’ Premier League games, while he also said that he has too much respect for Hodgson and his teammates to refuse to play or train.
He could easily have kicked up a fuss and refused to play, either by feigning injury or some other ploy, but he has rolled his sleeves up and just got on with things, which makes him an admirable professional.
Transfer interest can negatively influence him
While it is commendable that he has gotten on with things, we’ve learned that heated transfer interest in his services can affect the former Manchester United man mentally.
Zaha told the BBC that his head was “all over the place” because of the summer transfer saga, which may have played a part in him only scoring three goals this season.
When he is focused, we saw last season through his 20 Premier League goal involvements that he can be mesmeric.
Calling all Eagles fans: Can you get 90% on this quickfire Palace quiz?
Although, when the transfer spotlight is on him, we’ve learned that he can struggle to shut that out.
In other news, this Crystal Palace target who is lacking electric pace could help Hodgson freshen up one key area…