Allardyce hopes Palace can keep ‘genius’ Zaha

Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce is hoping his chairman Steve Parish will be able to keep Wilfried Zaha at Selhurst Park for another season after another impressive display from the Ivorian at the weekend.

Zaha inspired the Eagles to a 1-0 victory over Watford, courtesy of a Troy Deeney own goal, and was by far the most lively attacking threat in a scrappy win – their third in a row in the Premier League.

Palace already refused an offer of £12m for Zaha from Spurs last summer and the north London side remain interested in signing Zaha who has not yet penned a contract extension.

And Allardyce has pleaded with Parish to do everything to keep the winger and believes when teams consistently foul him, it is a sign of their fear of the former Manchester United player’s goal threat.

(Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

“That’s the chairman’s responsibility (too keep Zaha),” said Allardyce.

“Spurs were always mentioned because agents or somebody decided to stir the pot. We all know who stirs the pot, behind the scenes, who do it, even though they deny it, but we know they do it.

“He gets kicked as much as [Eden] Hazard. Keep going, Wilf. It’s a compliment to you as a footballer when people can’t cope with your ability and have to foul you just as persistently as he was fouled today.

“He gets terrible treatment off the opposition because he’s so skilful. He’s got to realise that’s down to his genius ability that these lads can’t cope and because they can’t cope they’ve got to end up fouling him all the time.”