From Croydon to £50 Million

For Chris Waters, 45, member of the Crystal Palace Supporters Club, this only cemented the rise between player and club.

“He made his debut when we were in the administration season actually through to being an established Premier League side where I think we’ve been for seven years.

“This is an unprecedented successful period for us. His journey goes hand in hand with that.”

But as things were starting to look up for the then England international, his luck run out at a crucial time.

For Chris it was clear what happened.

The last signing of Sir Alex Ferguson was always going to have big boots to fill at Man United.

Under the guise of newly-appointed David Moyes in 2013 he only made four appearances, ableit winning his only silverware (Community Shield).

But it was clear from player, coach and media neither were getting on.

Sent out to Cardiff on loan in the January window he made only 12 more appearances before a familiar eagle-cry came back to the now 21-year old.

Offering United a cut price £3 million (rising to £6 million in add-ons), the Red devils didn't have enough patience or trust in the young winger that Palace never lost.

Founder and Editor of The Eagles Beak fansite Jay Crame, 47, claims that since then Zaha has matured a lot since his spell at United.

"After what happened at United he’s older now, wiser, he’s a better all round player than when he went.

"And that was just an unfortunate situation for him.

"It did Wilf a favour by giving him an opportunity at Palace, a place where he’s known and loved, adored even."

That love and adoration has since been paid back in performances, as Zaha has since become the Premier League star that Ferguson had tipped he would become.

Over 350 appearances and 57 goals later, Zaha's future at the club seems once again at a diversion.

But it seems Palace fans are still amicable to the player that’s served them for so long as Chris testifies.

"No one begrudges him a move now I think that’s important to emphasise. He has more than served his time with us.

"He’s got to be up there with the best player Crystal Palace have ever had. He has to be in the top three if not the best I say.

"I would say 50 years (best player). I mean who are we talking Johnny Byrne, yep okay but he’s on another level. He really is.

"To play in the Champions League… His talents deserve that audience and level of competition. To be contending at the top end of the table."

Kane Burton, 38 and Palace season ticket holder for 27 years, concurs and believes that no-one would begrudge him leaving now.

"Most of us realise that in any given job, if a better one comes along, you want to shoot for the stars.

The Stats

Zaha’s stats have been impressive leading up to the last campaign, reaching a personal best 10 goals in the Premier League for the first time in 2018/19.

However this season has seen a noticeable drop in his performance, particularly goal output.

Whilst this year has been particularly poor this criticism may not be down to Zaha’s ability and more the style of football Palace have played this season.

Palace as a team have scored 31 goals this season, only bottom club Norwich scored fewer (26) and with the oldest squad in the league at an average of 29.8, high intensity attacking football hasn’t been on the agenda for a while.    

The team has evidently needed a refresh but Chris' claims that the club shouldn't have cashed out on the superstar sooner.

"There might have been an argument for that last season but you could say look, we finished however many points above relegation last season, not many, maybe nine."

"And if we didn’t have him this season, we might have finished in the relegation zone. It pays for itself.

"Steve Parish (Palace Chairman) is so so canny, if in those plans we don’t need to sell him then they won’t sell him unless they get the right price.

"They’ve got a plan anyway, they’re going to buy young players irrespective of whether Zaha leaves or not."

The transfer saga around Zaha has been rife since his return to Selhurst even after signing a five-year deal in 2018.

But having not budged so far Jay believes that it's now or never.

"My view is that if he doesn’t go this summer he won’t go at all.

"I think this is probably the time looking at his age, he will probably look back and either regret or be thankful that he either stuck around or left at this stage."

Age is still in Zaha's favour, but only just. At 27, turning 28 in November, he should be reaching what most pundits would claim to be the peak of his footballing ability.

How much would Palace accept?

In previous summer windows figures as high as £70-80 million have been touted by more ambitious gossip coloumns, but as with everything the pandemic has changed that.

Rumours of up to £50 million are optimistic, not made better by reports that Palace would have to pay United as much as a 25% sell-on clause for any transfer fee.

Kane claims that Palace made a mistake by not letting him go sooner to negate that.

"I think the reality is he’s served his dues, he should’ve gone last season for maybe £60 million.

"This season I think if you get an offer over £40 million, I wouldn’t be surprised if we took it.

"You could buy two-three decent players, if not four for that."

Who should buy Zaha?

Speculating on who should sign your best player is never a thought most football fans hope to be in.

However given all Zaha has done for the club it's a given that fans would want the best for him, even if it means slandering other clubs linked with him as Jay states.

"I think Palace fans would be a bit frustrated if he went to a club like Everton or Newcastle. No disrespect to either to those clubs but they’re both projects.

"He needs to go somewhere that isn’t a project anymore and he can hit the ground running that can qualify or have qualified for Europe. Wilf deserves a shot at a top-six side."

Even Chris was keen to distance the playmaker from the blue half of merseyside:

"If say, with respect, he went to a club like Everton, then that’s a move about money. That’s not a move about winning things."

However not all fans are too worried about where he might end up.

Kane said: "Honestly, I don’t care.

"It’s like breaking up with your girlfriend or boyfriend. Once they’ve gone it doesn’t matter where they go."

Who should replace Zaha?

The million dollar question, or rather £50 million.

Speculation on who Palace could replace Zaha is almost down to throwing darts at faces on a conveniently placed editor's door.

However with an ageing squad it's unlikely that Palace will bring in just one replacement.

Here are three contenders that could fill the role.

Ismaïla Sarr

Chris: "The talk is that it that they’ll look to replace him with Sarr from Watford. Now Watford have been relegated I’m absolutely convinced they’ll go for Sarr."

After spending one season at now relegated Watford, Sarr is tipped for a move away after being one of the few players to impress this year.

However having only being bought last year from Rennes at somewhere reported around the £30 million mark, Watford are said to be wanting around £40 million themselves.

This wouldn't leave any other room for transfers if Palace were to rely on the funds from Zaha and after scoring only five goals for Watford, ableit two impressive goals against Liverpool, it's yet to be seen if he can prove himself fully in the Premier League.

Saïd Benrahma

Kane: "Maybe Benrahma at £15 million if he’s that kind of money. To be honest I think you want to go from the Championship and Eredivise and Ligue 1 to find the cheaper alternative."

If Palace can't afford a single big transfer that Sarr might be, Benrahma from Brentford could be that exact alternative.

Narrowly missing out on promotion this year, Benrahma has also impressed this season with 17 goals in 43 apps for the Bees and his lightning pace on the wing could certainly match Zaha's.

However buying any player from the Championship always brings a risk of making the step up and quality, and having only experience in Ligue 1 in France elsewhere, does he have the steel for the top tier in England?

Eberechi Eze

On paper Eze strikes a lot of parellels with Zaha, at 22 years old he's played two full seasons at QPR and last season scored 14 goals in the Championship.

As always though it's budget that constrains everything. QPR know what they've got on their hands and have already rejected a bid of around £12 million from Palace this window.

This one might go down to the wire but may be more realistic targets than either Sarr or Benrahma.

No matter who Palace bring in though to replace Zaha it is undoubted he would always be welcome back at Selhurst.