Ok, hands up. soccersweep got it wrong. About 6 months ago Wilfried Zaha was selected for the England squad and yours truly expressed serious misgivings about the hype surrounding the then Crystal Palace player.
It wasn’t that we thought he was total pants. It just seemed that the lad was being heralded as the next England saviour before even kicking a ball in The Prem. What’s more, highlights of Zaha showed a player who had a stepover like a nervous tick, and not much more. The article drew angry responses from The Crystal Palace faithful who assured us, in no uncertain terms, that this guy was the real deal. Then Manchester United signed him for £15m and we were forced to revisit our opinion.
Zaha had a decent 2nd half to the season at Crystal Palace. But then he exploded in the play-off semi-final, scoring twice in the second leg to see his side through. This provided the perfect opportunity to see the boy up close in the final at Wembley.
And what a performance he gave. After 120 minutes we were left in no doubt at all that this guy is the real deal. Zaha has been unfairly likened to Nani in some quarters – full of tricks but no end product. But, having seen Zaha play against Watford, it’s clear that they are stylistically very different. Yes, Zaha still loves a stepover, but there is so much more to his dribbling skill. With far too much flair for an Englishman, he had both full backs on toast, as he switched wings to great effect leaving them both feeling sea-sick way before full-time. He must have beaten the opposing defenders in 20 different ways over the course of the match. His feet are so quick that sometimes it’s difficult to see the actual trick. We will all need many slo-mo replays of this guy over the years to understand what just happened.
But it’s not just his dribbling that impressed. The new Manchester United man defended with great enthusiasm, made some excellent runs down the centre and hit one 50 yard through ball that would have had David Beckham and Paul Scholes weeping with delight. He showed pace, hunger and strength in abundance. And, crucially, he also possesses obvious football intelligence. With only 12 goals in 110 games for The Eagles, Zaha will need to find the net more regularly for Manchester United, but it’s his assists which have impressed. At Wembley he was head and shoulders above the rest and made the crucial intervention in the contest by winning the decisive penalty with a typically assertive and silky run into the area.
Manchester United fans have been concerned about their wide options after below average seasons from Valencia, Young and Nani. Most want to see heavy investment in those areas. But in Wilfried Zaha, we genuinely believe that Manchester United have bought a player who will nail down a first team place almost immediately.
It’s way too early to say whether Zaha is a world-class talent. But he is certainly in that very rare band of players who has the potential to reach that category. If coached correctly Zaha will be a world-beater. Zaha’s potential is frightening and Fergie’s last signing may just prove to be one of his very best.
You can see Manchester United’s new star in action for the England U21s in Israel at EURO 2013. They kick off against Italy on June 5th.
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Goodnews itepu
May 30, 2013 at 7:37 am
This guy is a legend in d making. He is our future number 7. What will need now is nicholas gaitan,to run through our 11 and strootman/fellaini to tackle the mid-field. With this stars in our hands, we will be goin for the treble (champions leage,epl,the f.a cup ). United till death.
pasqualo manuer
May 30, 2013 at 7:40 am
but now our currents are good but if were united manger ican look good midfield like schoul the only effact is winger is good to haue winger like cristiano ronaldo
fraz
May 30, 2013 at 9:25 am
spacca
Chris adzamli
May 30, 2013 at 7:43 am
I think united have made right choice
A boy come 4rm da'aru
May 30, 2013 at 8:11 am
We ar lak of second goal keper, winger nd mid fider if we cn stil try 2 sign dat modric nd felani nd som tajble player we wil d world best of all
Splendor Clinton
May 30, 2013 at 8:51 am
Wilfred Zaha is not only a star but a real star..he should be played regularly in the united first team..we shud also bring in fellaini,fabregas and lewandowski..wid dis stars we wil be Europe’s best team
Ovye
May 30, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Lowandoski will be good if man u can sign him, we need xavi thiargo&bains
Effect Njoku
May 30, 2013 at 9:55 am
Wilfred zaha,is anoda wonderful player dat will perform wnder in utd.besides,he’s still a youth nd more dayz 2 play
Taffa simango
May 30, 2013 at 10:24 am
the nxt #7 of untd plz keep this guy diva moyes . Jst give game tyme only
Dahiru
May 30, 2013 at 10:54 am
We really need heavy investment in the midpiled the like of thiago alcantra and fellaini will asist in addition to zaha
Dahiru
May 30, 2013 at 10:59 am
He is really a talented player and will improve manutd midpiled in addition to fellaini and thiago alcantra.
suleiman maulid
May 30, 2013 at 2:50 pm
WHAY SHOULD WE NEED CRISTIANO RONALDO? WE HAVE ZAHA.
ishaq
May 30, 2013 at 3:00 pm
we should pray to d new successor ov fergie. Lets give moyes the full support to achieved our main aim (Trophies).
ishaq
May 30, 2013 at 3:02 pm
we should pray to d new successor ov fergie. Lets give moyes the full support to achieved our main aim (Trophies). Ishaq Mshelia from Kano NGR.
oyegokesamuel
May 30, 2013 at 6:06 pm
no doubt abt dat zaha s a fine winger but we still nid d impact of fellani,fabregas/modric,thaigo 2 make us a world class team.united we stand!
Bob
May 30, 2013 at 9:21 pm
we need Gaitan, James Rodriguez, Bale, Lewadonski, Fellani, Cesc, Modric, Stroot, Wanyama – people pls this is not cm