This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Having been linked with a big-money move away from Crystal Palace once again this summer, Wilfried Zaha ended up remaining at Selhurst Park with his tail tucked between his legs. The Ivory Coast international has long been the Eagles’ shining light in recent seasons, and has played a key role in helping them avoid relegation on numerous occasions.
Last season alone, the 26-year-old recorded the footballing equivalent of a ‘double-double’, with ten goals and ten assists in 36 appearances across all competitions. This year however, has been rather indifferent. Whether it’s the forward’s failure to secure his ‘dream’ move to Arsenal, or simply being given a new role (he has played six times on the right-wing compared to just two outings there all last season), something isn’t quite right with Zaha.
The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…
The Eagles star has registered no goals and just one assist in nine matches this season – and that’s bizarrely exactly why Man City must be fearful when they face Roy Hodgson’s men on Saturday afternoon. The Citizens suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Wolves, and they were completely destroyed at the end of the game by sprint king Adama Traore – a wide-man whose combination of pace and trickery is similar to what Zaha has to offer.
Whilst Pep Guardiola may feel Zaha’s rough patch of form means he isn’t a player for City to be overly concerned about, the writing is on the wall if the Spanish boss approaches the game in that fashion. Make no mistake about it, the Ivorian’s style of play means he is likely to explode in scintillating fashion at any time. A team having to play Fernandinho at centre-back due to an injury crisis, is exactly the kind of opposition the Palace man will fancy his chances of breaking his goal-scoring duck against.
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Despite his lack of goal contributions, the under-lying numbers prove why the Manchester side can’t simply twiddle their thumbs. Zaha has averaged 1.8 shots per game (only 0.3 less than last year) and 4.8 dribbles per game (a staggering 1.4 more than the previous campaign) – they are the sort of figures that essentially indicate his goals and assists drought is more than likely to end soon.
So whilst zero goals and just one assist may suggest Zaha is in a terrible run of form, Guardiola and City simply cannot under-estimate the potential damage he could inflict if they’re lulled into a false sense of security.
