Paul Merson has sent a warning to Wilfried Zaha about potentially leaving Crystal Palace to join a top six club in the Premier League.
Zaha, who was linked with Chelsea in the summer, is out of contract with Premier League side Palace at the end of the season.
David Ornstein reports that many within the game feel the 29-year-old is set to exit Selhurst Park next summer.
Chelsea’s interest in the Ivory Coast attacker was mentioned back in August. 90min reported that Blues co-owner Todd Boehly was keen on bringing the Palace winger to the club.
Merson warning to Zaha
Pundit Merson has delivered quite a stern message to Zaha, suggesting that a glamorous move away from Palace might not be the best option for his career.
In fairness, he’s playing some really eye-catching football right now for Patrick Vieira’s side, which includes five goals in nine league games so far this campaign.
Merson wrote for the Daily Star: “Wilfried Zaha plays every week at Crystal Palace. He can have a bad game and still start the following match and that might not happen at a Big Six club.
“I think he should seriously consider his options before running down his contract. He’s a legend at Palace and the manager loves him. I see someone like Arsenal coming in for him if they get into the Champions League but do you go there and risk becoming a bit-part player?
“You’re then going on a free. It’s not like you’re Darwin Nunez, who cost £85m and therefore has to play. Will he want to play for one week and then drop to the bench? I’m just not sure whether the grass is going to be greener for Zaha.
“He’s playing the best football of his career and there is a reason for that. He needs to sit down and have a big think about his future.”
If he’s available on a free transfer next year, Chelsea should make sure they’re in the mix again for Zaha’s signature.
He’s always been an individual that shines in England’s top flight in Palace colours, with the best parts of their attacking play going through him.
However, it would be great to see him tested on the European stage now he’s developed into more of a finished article.
Chelsea definitely need some more attackers that can score regularly, so the Palace ace wouldn’t be the worst player to consider.
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