Wilfried Zaha return

[Palacesince64]

He will always be a Palace legend because of his ability to score goals in a team that was hanging on to premiership status and playing defensive football. For much of his time with us we lacked other options and “give it to Wilf” was our best hope of winning games. He wasn’t expected to track back or do much else within the team and that might be why he failed to achieve the heights in other teams. He could be moody and sulk at times but was guaranteed his place in the side whatever.

In short Palace made him what he is including the good, bad, and ugly bits and that is perhaps why he didn’t fit in elsewhere where he was expected to adapt to the needs of the team rather than be the team. He wouldn’t fit in our current side either and it remains to be seen if he will fit in at Charlotte. His statement on signing “I know what I can do” makes me think he will be the same old Wilf. It remains to be seen if that suits the MLS and his new team.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

He will always be a Palace legend because of his ability to score goals in a team that was hanging on to premiership status and playing defensive football. For much of his time with us we lacked other options and “give it to Wilf” was our best hope of winning games. He wasn’t expected to track back or do much else within the team and that might be why he failed to achieve the heights in other teams. He could be moody and sulk at times but was guaranteed his place in the side whatever.

In short Palace made him what he is including the good, bad, and ugly bits and that is perhaps why he didn’t fit in elsewhere where he was expected to adapt to the needs of the team rather than be the team. He wouldn’t fit in our current side either and it remains to be seen if he will fit in at Charlotte. His statement on signing “I know what I can do” makes me think he will be the same old Wilf. It remains to be seen if that suits the MLS and his new team.

True. He also always seemed like someone who needs to feel valued which he was pretty much guaranteed at Palace where he was always a star player and the fans would overlook his, let's say, eccentricities.
He didn't do badly in Turkey, 9 goals in 30 games, but maybe he didn't feel the love.
He's only 32 so can still do a job for someone.

 

[steeleye20]

Wilf has signed for Charlotte FC on loan for the MLS season. Source: SSN

Wilfried Zaha joins Charlotte FC on loan from Galatasaray

Wilfried Zaha joins Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC on loan until January 2026, with an option to extend until June 2026.

www.bbc.co.uk

It's a waste really.

What he could have achieved had he remained here, it feels like he has been put out to grass, like exile to St.Helena.

He was made for us and we were made for him.

How many stars come unstuck through thinking the grass is always greener on the other side.

😎

 

[park the bus]

The "give it to Wilf" thing suited him down to the ground though, didn't it? An often greedy individualist who must have thought at some point that the whole team was based around him. It must have suited Hodgson too, as he couldn't come up with an alternative. It took the side a while to get over the "can't win without Zaha" storyline, but they did, and now we are a much better team without him. Team being the operative word, where each player plays a part in the grand scheme of things according to the manager's vision. Wilf couldn't work in the current side - he was a perfect fit for one-dimensional Hodgson though.
That said, he obviously was a great player when at his best for Palace. For whatever reason he could never transfer that elsewhere. He may have better luck in the MLS.

 

[Spiderman]

It's a waste really.

What he could have achieved had he remained here, it feels like he has been put out to grass, like exile to St.Helena.

He was made for us and we were made for him.

How many stars come unstuck through thinking the grass is always greener on the other side.

😎

A lot of blame rests with his “advisors”

 

[Teddy Eagle]

It's a waste really.

What he could have achieved had he remained here, it feels like he has been put out to grass, like exile to St.Helena.

He was made for us and we were made for him.

How many stars come unstuck through thinking the grass is always greener on the other side.

😎

As much as everyone admired him would he actually have achieved more or produced more of the same with diminishing returns? Doubt he would've appreciated being regularly subbed.

 

[CPFCSaturn]

True. He also always seemed like someone who needs to feel valued which he was pretty much guaranteed at Palace where he was always a star player and the fans would overlook his, let's say, eccentricities.
He didn't do badly in Turkey, 9 goals in 30 games, but maybe he didn't feel the love.
He's only 32 so can still do a job for someone.

Quite - I think there's a lot more to him being pushed out of the Gala squad than 'not being good enough'. Turkish football is incredibly volatile and it's not hard to imagine Wilf pissing off the wrong person or having too much to say for himself.

 

[berlinpalace]

Quite - I think there's a lot more to him being pushed out of the Gala squad than 'not being good enough'. Turkish football is incredibly volatile and it's not hard to imagine Wilf pissing off the wrong person or having too much to say for himself.

Probably fell out with Icardi, he’s the superstar and known to have an eye for other players wives.

 

[BromleyMonkey]

I think it’s time the mural was whitewashed over and a new one of Hughesey baby was done 😎😁

 

[MrRobbo]

As much as everyone admired him would he actually have achieved more or produced more of the same with diminishing returns? Doubt he would've appreciated being regularly subbed.

I agree. As much as I loved/love him, it was right to go.

He'd given us the best years of his career, and with Eze and Olise the team was in a good place.

He deserved to try something different, just a real shame that (apart from maybe that CL game at Old Trafford) its not worked out, and he's spent all year dragging his family around the world (I presume).

 

[DenTyler]

Hypothetically… how do people think Wilf would have done had he chose to stay with us? Working in the team with Wharton and an all firing JPM. Guided by a coach who is more interested in attack than defending.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Palacesince64]

Hypothetically… how do people think Wilf would have done had he chose to stay with us? Working in the team with Wharton and an all firing JPM. Guided by a coach who is more interested in attack than defending.

What are your thoughts?

He’d have struggled to fit into Ollie’s system since we don’t play with wingers. Presumably he’d have to play where Eze plays on the left of JP. Might score more than Eze because his instinct was always to go for goal but fewer assists. If he played I suspect Mitchell would sit back more.

 

[Goal Machine]

Seems all very sad that he's ended up at Charlotte. What a fall from grace.

I'd imagine he regrets staying so long at Palace, but now equally regrets leaving Palace when he did. His stock has clearly dropped.

Out of favour at Galatasaray, flop at Lyon. As someone else posted, seems he needed Palace as much as we needed him.

I think he'd still do a job for us anywhere in the front three. His pace had gone by the end and he was more effective playing in the middle/as a striker then he was as a winger.