Wilfried Zaha should be playing for a side such as Arsenal, according to Tony Cascarino.
Zaha is a key performer for Crystal Palace and proved to be the difference against Chelsea on Saturday. The Eagles had yet to score a single goal in the Premier League, but Zaha’s return from injury inspired to a 2-1 victory, with the Ivorian netting the winner.
Cascarino has been impressed with his form, and believes he should be playing for a club challenging for a Champions League place, including Arsenal.
“Zaha was the golden boy at Palace before he joined Manchester United and was sidelined by David Moyes,” he said, reports the Daily Star. “He didn’t feel any love at Old Trafford.
“It’s clear as day that Zaha is a Champions League player just look at his performance and goal for Palace against Chelsea on Saturday. He should be playing for a Champions League team but he needs an arm around the shoulder.
“He was at United at the wrong time and if he were there now would not look out of place. He would be cheap at £30m and I think he could do a job for any of the elite teams — Chelsea, the Manchester clubs and Tottenham Hotspur — and Arsenal too.”
Zaha was linked with Arsenal four years ago when he was an exciting talent at Palace. Back then, Arsene Wenger admitted that he liked the player but wouldn’t be making a bid for him.
He scored 8 goals in 50 appearances for Palace during the 2012-13 season, which earned him a move to Manchester United. However, he made just four appearances for the club before returning to Palace.
The Ivorian is an explosive and unpredictable winger, but he has an inconsistent end product that hasn’t yet developed to a high enough standard. He won two caps for England, but was able to switch to the Ivory Coast as he only played in friendlies.
He’s since won seven caps for the Ivory Coast, scoring twice.