Alan Pardew has admitted that Wilfried Zaha could one day leave Crystal Palace – but insists the winger is good enough to play for either Barcelona or Real Madrid.
The midfielder, who has two England caps, was strongly linked with a move to Tottenham in the transfer window, with the White Hart Lane club allegedly lodging a bid.
But Pardew reckons Zaha’s sights should be set higher than Mauricio Pochettino’s side – apparently, A LOT higher.
Speaking via the Sun, Palace boss Pardew said: “This club took him back from Man United when things weren’t going so well and put their money where their mouth is to bring him back.
“He’s done great for me but I think there’s improvement in him. I do think he’s got some improvements to make to be a top player.
“I think we’re a good platform for him to do that in the Premier League. I have tried to say to him I want him to be a massive success here.
“If Spurs blew us out of the water or Man City offered £50m and it was Champions League football, OK, it’s because you’re the finished product.
“This is what Wilf’s ambition should be, but he needs to address his goals and assists.
“If a club came in with, say, £50-£60m – let’s say a Man City, Barcelona or Real Madrid, and he’s got ten goals and nine assists – as his manager at Crystal Palace I can’t really stand in his way.
“I don’t think our fans would either. He knows he isn’t there yet and he has no problem seeing that.
“I have told him that. Potentially, he could be.”
Zaha managed just five goals and seven assists in the Premier League last season, and is yet to find the net s far in this campaign.
But with a man like Pardew behind him, who knows how far he could go, right?
Havng staved off Spurs’ interest, the 23-year-old is set to be included in the Palace squad for the weekend match away to Middlesbrough – with the club looking for their first win of the season.
But what do you think of Pardew’s comments? Could Zaha really be lining up next to Messi or Ronaldo one day?
Let us know in the comments section below…
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