Reported Tottenham Hotspur target Wilfried Zaha signed a new five-year deal with Crystal Palace on Friday to end the speculation that he could join Spurs this summer.
Mauricio Pochettino is said to be a big fan of the winger and he tried to sign him from the Eagles last summer, but no agreement could be found as Palace refused to sell him and he brought in Moussa Sissoko from Newcastle United instead.
With the 24-year-old enjoying perhaps his most consistent Premier League campaign to date – scoring seven goals and providing a further 11 assists – the Argentine manager widely expected to make another move for the Ivory Coast international.
However, despite Sam Allardyce quitting the south London outfit earlier this week, the wide man has decided to commit his long-term future the club, and it could be the best decision for all of the parties involved.
Here are three reasons Tottenham fans should be relieved they aren’t signing Zaha…
They can do better
Having been Premier League title contenders for the second successive season as well as competing in the group stages of the Champions League, Spurs fans may feel that they are reaching a level where they must be signing players of a higher level and with more consistency than Zaha.
Yes, he may have enjoyed a decent campaign for Crystal Palace but the Eagles spent the majority of the campaign in a relegation battle and that isn’t the experience that Mauricio Pochettino’s team need if they are to progress again next term.
There are certainly better options out there and the Argentine manager must find them.
He could be another Sissoko
Last summer, Tottenham signed a largely inconsistent wide player who had been playing in a side struggling towards the bottom of the Premier League table, and he cost £30m.
Ring any bells?
Well, the asking price for Zaha would have been around that mark and with Sissoko struggling to win over both the Spurs supporters and Pochettino this season, they can’t afford to take another big financial risk like that without being sure the individual will make a big impact.
His Manchester United days
Having impressed in the Championship with Crystal Palace in the 2012/13 season, Sir Alex Ferguson brought Zaha to Old Trafford.
However, it was a move that didn’t work out as the winger struggled to deal with the expectation on his shoulders at Old Trafford, and he returned to Selhurst Park in 2014 after making just four appearances in all competitions.
It is a story that suggests that the 24-year-old would likely struggle to make the step up with Spurs, as they look to win the Premier League and compete in the Champions League, and it could be a blessing in disguise.
Do you agree, Spurs fans? Let us know below.
