In the same interview ESPN seemed to think that Zaha said he felt only Messi and Ronaldo are better than him but this was taken out of context. The full quote: “I want to come up against defenders who will properly test me, I’d never look at someone and think he’s better than me, unless it’s Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. When I get on the pitch it’s my time.”
It is easy to think that he is making an arrogant statement but I take it as confidence in his own belief rather than pure vanity with regards to his abilities. He wants to play in the Premiership so he can really test himself, no disrespect to the Championship but facing the defence of Peterborough is a very different task in comparison to facing the defence of a middleweight Premiership team such as Fulham or Newcastle United.
Of course the League Cup shock that Palace pulled off last year at Old Trafford pitted Zaha against Fabio, currently on loan at QPR, and the Brazilian left the pitch clutching his thigh with little pride left in tact.
With over a 100 games under his belt already with Palace it seems the time is right to make the move up a division if he wanted but with Palace doing so well I doubt he’d feel the timing was right. Top of the Championship and unbeaten since August it would take a Cardiff style meltdown for the Eagles not to be in with a sniff of promotion at the end of the season. Add to the mix that Ian Holloway has become the new manager and I personally would love to see them back in the Premier League next year. With Zaha doing what he does best on the pitch I would love to hear the analogies that Holloway has lined up for him during the post match interviews and lets be honest we’d all love to hear that black country accent more often.
The debate about whether or not Zaha is worth the hype should be closed, his wonderful pace and trickery combined with an honesty and self confidence make him ready to take on the world and it will only be a matter of time till he comes to the Premiership. Speaking for all the neutral’s out there it would be best to see him get to the promise land with Crystal Palace but of course football is a cruel and cynical world so he may well be moving over the summer if Palace don’t get promoted.
The big question will be whether he decides to choose white or orange as his kit of choice come Brazil 2014. Let’s hope that last night won’t go down as a popular pub quiz question about a player who made his only appearance for his first of two countries.
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