Crystal Palace’s Valentine Star: Who is the Eagles’ most loved player?

Name: Wilfried Zaha
Position: Winger

Wilfried Zaha joined Crystal Palace’s academy aged 12.

Wilfried Zaha is a man who always gets Eagles fans on the edge of their seats. Granted, sometimes it is in frustration!

The 23-year-old, who has two senior international caps for England, undoubtedly still has huge potential and possesses a great amount of skill and talent.

The tricky winger, who joined Crystal Palace’s academy when he was just 12-years-old, rose through the club’s ranks and became their most highly-rated youngster to star at Selhurst Park before sealing a glamorous transfer to Premier League giants Manchester United back in January 2013 in a deal worth up to £15m.

Fortunately for the Palace faithful; his career at Old Trafford proved a lot less fruitful, meaning after a decent loan spell at Cardiff City, Zaha would rejoin the club, initially on loan, before sealing a permanent future back with Alan Pardew’s side once more last February.

His love of beating players down either flank with his breathtaking skill, instant drop of the shoulder and blistering pace is enough to get the crowd pumped and jumping to their feet at times. But unfortunately; too often than not, Zaha’s lack of finishing the job in the final third with that decisive pass, cross or shot eventually leaves the Selhurst Park crowd frequently tearing their hair out after another wasted goalscoring opportunity.

His statistics this season demonstrate that point precisely; with the England international scoring just twice and assisting five goals in the Premier League so far. Nevertheless; Palace fans adore their dynamic winger and it is always pleasing on the eye when fellow forward Yannick Bolasie is bombing it down the opposite flank too.

Still only 23; Zaha still has a lot to learn, so thankfully he has still go bags of potential.