Transfer News – Summer 2014

 

The latest addition to the Palace ranks is the return of prodical son, Wilfried Zaha.

His torrid time at Manchester United looks like it has come to an end as the talented winger re-joins Palace on loan for the season with a view to signing permanent next summer.

It is quite a turnaround since leaving the club in 2013. Palace sold Zaha to United in the January 2013 transfer window which included keeping him at the club in a loan deal until the end of the season. We all know how that ended as Wilf’s wing wizardry went a long way to securing a return to the Premier League for the Eagles. It was a fitting end to the relationship.

With the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson at the end of that season, he handed the reigns to David Moyes. This was perhaps the worst possible news and so it proved as Zaha only made two appearances for the Old Trafford club and was eventually loaned out to Cardiff City. He made ten appearances for the South Wales side in a dismal season that ended in relegation from the Premier League.

After a season where everything Zaha touched turned to gold, last season was the complete opposition. With the sacking of David Moyes there was a view that Zaha would have a clean slate. New manager Van Gaal fails to see the potential in Wilf either and while it has been the hottest topic for Palace fans since his troubles at United began, the news of his return to Selhurst Park has gone down very well indeed.

His career began at Palace in 2002 as he came through the youth ranks and made his breakthrough into the first team in 2010. Zaha made over 100 appearances for the club and scored 12 goals. He appeared for England at youth level 15 times and scoring a goal for the U21 side. He also has two full international caps.

Many including myself were of the opinion that the club had moved on from our former starlet, the two having taken a turn into different directions, It could well be more a case of Zaha needing Palace more than Palace needing Zaha but the sentimental side of me will certainly get a special feeling seeing him adorn the red and blue once again.

It does remain to be seen if Zaha has been damaged by the experience at one of the top clubs in the world but if he cannot find his form at a club where he is adored then sadly, he is never likely to again.

Welcome back Wilf!

 

 

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