This article will tell you about the career highlights of Ivory Coast’s forward Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha is a professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for Crystal Palace and the Ivory Coast national team. In this article, we’ll take a look at Zaha’s career, from his early days as a youth player to his current status as one of the Premier League’s most exciting talents.
Zaha was born on November 10, 1992, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, but he moved to England with his family at a young age. He began playing football at a local youth club and was soon spotted by scouts from Crystal Palace, who offered him a place in their academy.
Career Overview
Zaha quickly progressed through the ranks at Crystal Palace and made his first-team debut for the club in 2010, at the age of 17. He quickly established himself as one of the most promising young talents in English football, with his pace, skill, and directness causing problems for opposition defenders.
Zaha’s performances for Crystal Palace attracted the attention of several top Premier League clubs, and in January 2013, he signed for Manchester United for a reported fee of £10 million. However, his time at Old Trafford was largely unsuccessful, as he struggled to make an impact under then-manager David Moyes.
After making just four appearances for Manchester United, Zaha was loaned back to Crystal Palace for the 2013-14 season. He rediscovered his form back at Selhurst Park, scoring eight goals in 50 appearances and helping Palace to secure their Premier League status.
In August 2014, Zaha signed permanently for Crystal Palace in a deal worth an initial £3 million, rising to a potential £6 million with add-ons.
Also Read: Biography – The day when Lionel Messi bought his neighbour’s house
He continued to impress for the club, scoring crucial goals and providing assists as they established themselves as a solid mid-table side in the Premier League.
International Career
Zaha’s performances also caught the eye of the Ivory Coast national team, and he made his debut for the Elephants in a friendly against Sweden in January 2017.
He went on to play a key role for the Ivory Coast at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, helping them to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Recent Performance
In the 2017-18 season, Zaha had his best campaign to date for Crystal Palace, scoring nine goals and providing three assists in 29 Premier League appearances.
He was named Crystal Palace’s Player of the Year and was also nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award, although he ultimately lost out to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Zaha’s performances during the 2017-18 season attracted interest from several top Premier League clubs. Arsenal and Everton were both reportedly making bids for him during the summer transfer window. However, Crystal Palace stood firm and Zaha remained at the club for the start of the 2018-19 season.
Also Read: The Amazing Story Of Vinicius Jr.
Zaha continued to be a key player for Crystal Palace in the 2018-19 season, scoring 10 goals and providing five assists in 34 Premier League appearances. He also helped the club to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, where they were narrowly beaten by Watford.
In the 2019-20 season, Zaha continued to be a regular presence in the Crystal Palace team, making 39 appearances in all competitions and scoring four goals.
Recent Form
However, his performances were somewhat inconsistent, with some fans and pundits feeling that he was not always giving his all for the team.
Zaha’s form dipped further during the 2020-21 season, as he scored just four goals in 30 Premier League appearances. However, he still showed flashes of his immense talent, with his dribbling and trickery causing problems for opposition defenders.
Despite his relatively underwhelming form in recent seasons, Zaha remains one of the most talented and exciting players in the Premier League.
