I know, I know. There have been a hundred Wilfried Zaha threads. I won't pretend this one is hugely different.

Except what I think is pertinent right now is that Wilf's career is truly at its final crossroads, as evidenced in our last two games. This summer, it would seem he was humiliated by desperately pushing to leave, only to discover that nobody appeared to want him.

Then, Roy Hodgson was essentially questioning his contribution to the Brighton game.

I lost a lot of love for Wilf over the summer with the idiotic, tiresome circus of his people -- and Zaha himself (by which I mean his ill-advised Dubai thing) -- seemingly throwing himself like a drunk old man at a disco onto any would-be lover.

Then the Man U game came and he was sensational: electric movement, leadership, skill, pace and power. In short, a one-off world-class display. It appeared to reflect the ethic of a player who had worked hard all close-season to ensure he could showcase his talents.

Nobody will ever know what Wilf did or didn't do against Chelsea and Brighton: how much was him and how much was Roy's system, but what's clear is that he was essentially absent from those games. Then to have been criticized by Roy will have stung.

So now here we are.

Is he going to deliver, or is he not? If Wilf fails to deliver significantly before the January transfer window (and I mean from right now), then I think he will finish his career at Selhurst Park, wondering what might he have been. Knowing he could have done so much more with his talents than he actually did. Champions League games, championships...so much more.

So Wilf is at a crossroads. I for one hope that he moves in January because it would mean the penny has dropped that only his absolute, level best, week-in, week-out offers him a sliver of hope for the move he craves. Then we sell him for a viable fee, from a position of upper-mid-table security, that helps us to rebuild. And he gets his golden chance and the story ends well.

If not, then what does he really offer to the sort of team that he thinks he's worthy of playing for? An inconsistent, 28-year-old sulker.

I really don't think he will be able to sulk his way out of Selhurst park (to the kind of club he wants to go to): he's too well remunerated for that.

His only hope is to start playing like the talent we all know he is... starting at Craven Cottage tomorrow.

It is a binary moment in his life. I for one hope he sees it.

If you want to live in a world full of kindness, respect and love, try to show these qualities.

He really is at a crossroads this season.
The Palace fan and journalist Ed Aarons said that the agency arrangement with Pini Zahavi ended with the close of the transfer window.
Zaha had appointed him because of Zahavi’s extensive contacts in the game, but he didn’t get him the desired move so it appears Zaha is looking for a third agent in around a year.
There were rumours of interest from PSG and Borussia Dortmund earlier in the window , but these never rang true.
Aarons suggests the only glimmer of interest in the summer was from Man U as a fallback if they couldn’t get Sancho and also due to a reduced fee because of the sell on clause.
The interest was never pursued though.
Personally I would like him to have an opportunity to play at Champions League level but feel it’s unlikely now.
Taking into account that he’s soon 28, the large fee required and the question marks over his delivery and composure in front of goal there has to be a serious doubt.
His best hope is to hit a consistent spell of incredible form so the top clubs feel they can’t afford to miss out,
But I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Wilf is noticeably slower than he was. Maybe he doesn't trust his body after 10 years of being kicked to ribbons or maybe his body is damaged.

He should be given a rest and some love. He might need to adapt his game to new limitations.

He must have been injured all last season aswell then , as he wasn’t very good was he? Didn’t score or assist many goals.
Champions league teams aren’t interested in players that turn up a few times a season, as was shown with zero offers , although that wasn’t just the champions league teams, but all the rest aswell.
Not consistent enough to play above the level that he is currently playing , he’s so lucky to be on the wages he is, as he rarely deserves them.

Conspiracy theory, love it, Wilf doesn’t just turn up when he wants, must be injured, sometimes. You think he’s injured when he trys to beat players at walking pace, or when he pea rolls it back to the keeper with his shots??
He wasn’t our best player last year. Ayew got poty (we paid 40 times less than what we want for Zaha) Cahill, the keeper All in front of him.
I stand in the lower Holmesdale, will have to borrow your rose tinted glasses, next time we are allowed back in .
Said it before, Wilf is the biggest hype job in premier league history. We wanted £80m. If he signed for us at the start of last season for £10m , we’d be unhappy with the cost.
For me he is playing in a team level with what he offers on a weekly basis, talk of champions league is nonsense.

Edited by Casual (23 Oct 2020 8.07pm)

Still at least we know you won’t cheer when he scores. Not rose tinted glasses, he left early on at least 2 occasions. What is it with posters on here with their conspiracy theories, it’s called opinions. I believe his time has probably passed but I also believe Roys tactics have not helped him.
Slight exaggeration that biggest hype in PL history but You are entitled to your opinion.

ps don’t tell Willo you stand in lower holmesdale