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Wilfried Zaha plays for Crystal Palace.

Wilfried Zaha

Wilfried Zaha

Crystal Palace badge.

Palace beat Chelsea!

In an exciting London derby at Stamford Bridge, Crystal Palace beat Chelsea 2-1 and became only the second team this season to deny the Premier League leaders all three points at home. Everything seemed to be going to plan when Cesc Fabregas gave the Blues a 5th-minute lead, but Palace hit back immediately. In the 9th minute, Wilfied Zaha scored a great solo goal. He ran with the ball and scored from just outside the penalty area. If the equaliser surprised Chelsea, they must have been stunned when Palace took the lead just 90 seconds later. This time Zaha was the provider as his pass set up Christian Benteke to score. There was lots of time for Chelsea to recover, but despite 24 shots, they could not score. Zaha could have scored again late in the match but hit a shot over the crossbar. It was an important three points for Palace in their battle against relegation. Chelsea are still seven points clear at the top of the table, but this defeat gives chasing teams, such as Tottenham, some hope for the rest of the season.   

This is what the Premier League is about. There can be a shock anywhere. It will make people sit up and say wow!

Sam Allardyce, Crystal Palace manager.

What do we know about Wilfried Zaha?

Zaha celebrates his goal against Chelsea.

Wilfried Zaha was born on 10 November 1992 in Abidjan, the largest city and economic capital of Ivory Coast, which is on the west coast of Africa. However, when he was just four years old, Zaha moved, with his eight brothers and sisters, to the UK to live in London. Zaha was brought up by his mum and dad in a three bedroom house in Thornton Heath, which is an area of South London close to Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace's football ground. He learnt about football by playing with his five brothers in local parks and playing for a Sunday League team. He joined Crystal Palace's youth team when he was 12 years old and made his first team debut when he was only 17.

Unless I'm looking at Ronaldo or Messi, I don't think anyone is better than me.

Wilfried Zaha speaking in 2012. 

Where is home for Zaha?

Zaha used to play for Manchester Utd.

Zaha broke into the Palace first team when the Eagles were in the Championship (the second level of English football) and played over 100 times for the club before he was 20 years old. Many Premier League teams were looking at the winger and in January 2013, Manchester Utd bought Zaha for a reported £10 million. As part of the agreement, Zaha was loaned back to Palace for the rest of the 2012/13 season. In May 2013, Zaha helped Palace to victory in the play-off final which meant the team were promoted to the Premier League. Zaha's time at Manchester Utd wasn't successful and he made only two Premier League appearances before he was loaned out to Cardiff City, where he made a further 12 Premier League appearances. At the beginning of the 2014/15 season, Zaha returned to Crystal Palace, first on loan, but later, the transfer was made permanent. In 2015/16, Zaha was named Palace's Player of the Season and helped the club to the FA Cup Final, where they lost 2-1 to Zaha's former team - Manchester Utd.

I'm here now. I love the fans, they are part of the team, they have given me nothing but support even when I left. I'm playing well and have my confidence back.

Wilfried Zaha, speaking about his return to Palace.

Which players have represented different countries?

Zaha has chosen to play for Ivory Coast.

Wilfried Zaha was born in Ivory Coast but moved to the UK when he was four years old so was eligible to play for England or Ivory Coast. As a young player, Zaha played for England's under-19 and under-21 teams. In November 2012, Zaha made his debut for the senior England team against Sweden. He came on as a substitute for Raheem Sterling, who, incidentally, was born In Jamaica. However, it was a friendly match and FIFA's rules say that a player is only tied to a specific nation when he has played an international match in an official competition. In 2016, Zaha decided to represent Ivory Coast, the country of his birth, and made his competitive debut in the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2017. As you can see from the list below, this is nothing new. Some of the biggest names from football history have played for two countries and one (Monti) has even played in World Cup Finals for two different countries!

Five Players that have played for more than one country

Name Country
Diego Costa Brazil and Spain
Nacer Chadli Morocco and Belgium
Ferenc Puskas Hungary and Spain
Alfredo Di Stefano Argentina, Colombia and Spain 
Luisito Monti Argentina and Italy

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What do you think?

Were you surprised that Palace beat Chelsea? Are there more surprising results in the Premier League than other leagues?  

Do you think Wilfried Zaha was right to return to Palace? Do you know any other players thta have returned to their former clubs?

Should players be allowed to change nationality? Does it make a difference for fans?

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Comments

GARGER
19/03/2024
CC
94
points

I think that there are a lot of African players that firstly choose an European country to play in it but then they realize that it's better to play for the country were they really are from. like Iñaki Wiliams for example.


GARGER
19/03/2024 13:51
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Luton Town
94

I think that there are a lot of African players that firstly choose an European country to play in it but then they realize that it's better to play for the country were they really are from. like Iñaki Wiliams for example.

GARGER
31/10/2023
CC
94
points

Zaha was one of the best wingers in the premier at the time. He is just so talented!!


GARGER
31/10/2023 15:09
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Luton Town
94

Zaha was one of the best wingers in the premier at the time. He is just so talented!!

hsn's picture
hsn
14/09/2022
TR
5557
points

Sentences
• Players should struggle so much at the training to break into starting squad of next match.
• I was eligible in business life to choose position and I always had preferred hard tasks.
Note
• I'll never understand that a new transferred player get loaned back to her/his ex-team in the same season. I think it's related financial matters.


hsn's picture
hsn
14/09/2022 17:15
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5557

Sentences
• Players should struggle so much at the training to break into starting squad of next match.
• I was eligible in business life to choose position and I always had preferred hard tasks.
Note
• I'll never understand that a new transferred player get loaned back to her/his ex-team in the same season. I think it's related financial matters.

Ayande
03/07/2021
BE
409
points

I don't know about his story before


Ayande
03/07/2021 17:14
Belgium
Arsenal
409

I don't know about his story before

julietthor's picture
julietthor
06/04/2021
MY
222
points

Wilfred Zaha is a great player. He scored a longshot against Manchester United in the first game of the season.


julietthor's picture
julietthor
06/04/2021 05:16
Malaysia
Chelsea
222

Wilfred Zaha is a great player. He scored a longshot against Manchester United in the first game of the season.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
28/06/2020
TR
6539
points

I think players can change nationalities depend on where they live and what they want in their future.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
28/06/2020 17:05
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

I think players can change nationalities depend on where they live and what they want in their future.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
28/06/2020
TR
6539
points

Wilfried Zaha is a brilliant player but he didn't fit in Manchester United plan.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
28/06/2020 17:04
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

Wilfried Zaha is a brilliant player but he didn't fit in Manchester United plan.

quanmessi's picture
quanmessi
18/12/2018
VN
229
points

it is susprising


quanmessi's picture
quanmessi
18/12/2018 12:29
Vietnam
Manchester United
229

it is susprising

kirito2001
07/12/2017
VN
180
points

Palace beat Chelsea ! wow ! Sometime I think Palace can't beat Chelsea but now I know they can do anything


kirito2001
07/12/2017 13:45
Vietnam
Manchester United
180

Palace beat Chelsea ! wow ! Sometime I think Palace can't beat Chelsea but now I know they can do anything

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
08/07/2017
PS
3705
points

I think this rule is the best one,it is not good to change your national team when you ever have a chance.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
08/07/2017 18:00
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

I think this rule is the best one,it is not good to change your national team when you ever have a chance.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
08/07/2017
PS
3705
points

Yes i do,Falcao returned to Monaco after two seasons away of the team.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
08/07/2017 17:59
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

Yes i do,Falcao returned to Monaco after two seasons away of the team.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
08/07/2017
PS
3705
points

Yes i was, i did not think they would do it,Yes there are.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
08/07/2017 17:58
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

Yes i was, i did not think they would do it,Yes there are.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
13/04/2017
ME
3557
points

I believe he was right when he decided to return to Palace. PL is so tough competition that you can expect everything, even non league teams to beat 'the giants'. Players should be allowed to change nationality though it's strange not to choose the national team they played for as a youngsters. But the decision is up to them.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
13/04/2017 19:08
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

I believe he was right when he decided to return to Palace. PL is so tough competition that you can expect everything, even non league teams to beat 'the giants'. Players should be allowed to change nationality though it's strange not to choose the national team they played for as a youngsters. But the decision is up to them.

elghoul's picture
elghoul
11/04/2017
DZ
3988
points

A great surprise in fact. Zaha is helping the eagles escape from relegation. He is right when returning to his club debut.

Players like French-Algerians have not really changed nationality. In fact they have both nationalities. Like Mahrez some of them has chosen to play for Algerian team.


elghoul's picture
elghoul
11/04/2017 19:09
Algeria
Manchester City
3988

A great surprise in fact. Zaha is helping the eagles escape from relegation. He is right when returning to his club debut.

Players like French-Algerians have not really changed nationality. In fact they have both nationalities. Like Mahrez some of them has chosen to play for Algerian team.

Ahmed Adam Mamado's picture
Ahmed Adam Mamado
10/04/2017
SD
2903
points

1./ it was a bit surprising for me, because it came at Chelsea's home, but we shouldn't forget that it was a derby match beside the underdogs often give 110% when they're playing the favourites.

2./ I think his return was a right decision to make, Here he will find his chance to play regulary and then to improve.

I know some players who returned back to their former clubs like : Kagawa (Dortmund) , Nori Shahin (Dortmund), Lalana (Liverpool), Filipe Luiz (Atleteico Madrid), David Luiz (Chelsea), IIaramendi (Real Socidad) , Poul Pogba (Manchester United).

3./ Yes they should, becaue if a player is called up to reprsent one National Team and he palyed only one competitive match, and then lefted out, he wouldn't be able to play Nationally, unless that National Team call him up again


Ahmed Adam Mamado's picture
Ahmed Adam Mamado
10/04/2017 20:34
Sudan
Liverpool
2903

1./ it was a bit surprising for me, because it came at Chelsea's home, but we shouldn't forget that it was a derby match beside the underdogs often give 110% when they're playing the favourites.

2./ I think his return was a right decision to make, Here he will find his chance to play regulary and then to improve.

I know some players who returned back to their former clubs like : Kagawa (Dortmund) , Nori Shahin (Dortmund), Lalana (Liverpool), Filipe Luiz (Atleteico Madrid), David Luiz (Chelsea), IIaramendi (Real Socidad) , Poul Pogba (Manchester United).

3./ Yes they should, becaue if a player is called up to reprsent one National Team and he palyed only one competitive match, and then lefted out, he wouldn't be able to play Nationally, unless that National Team call him up again

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
10/04/2017
GH
4779
points

Fernando torres also returned to his formal club of Athletico Madrid.


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
10/04/2017 15:31
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

Fernando torres also returned to his formal club of Athletico Madrid.

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
10/04/2017
GH
4779
points

i wasn't surprised that Palace beat Chelsea given that all the other teams would like to beat Chelsea to spoil their party and hope of winning the league. Having said that, i thought it was a dream as it was played on April fool's day.


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
10/04/2017 15:30
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

i wasn't surprised that Palace beat Chelsea given that all the other teams would like to beat Chelsea to spoil their party and hope of winning the league. Having said that, i thought it was a dream as it was played on April fool's day.

shobonenok's picture
shobonenok
07/04/2017
RU
989
points

Correct me.

I was suprised only by the result, not by the Zaha and Benteke performances.
When all the European national teams played their matches to qualify to the World Cup in Russia, my national team played against....Ivory Coast and Belgium. Both of those strikers scored playing against Russia. If you haven't seen the Zaha's goal, please do it now. He cut around all the Russian defenders as the trees and scored a wonderful goal.
Despite the level of the Russian PL is lower than the English one, there are lots of suprising results in our Premier League. The team from the miidle of the table can take apart one of the title contenders and then lose against the main contender to relegate.

Speaking about Zaha, every football player needs a manager who trusts him and believes in his skills. Sam Allardyce is the manager who does it for the player, so it seems to be the right decision to stay at Palace for him.
There are lots of players who have returned to their former clubs: Pique (Barca), Arshavin (Zenit), Tevez (Boca Juniors), Gotze (Borussia Dortmund), Hummels (Bayern), Morata (Real Madrid), Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Shevchenko (Dinamo Kiev).

I'm not sure that it's necessary to change the rules. However, if I'm not mistaken, it's possible in cases of the former Spanish colonies where people can choose the citizenship (local or Spanish) and then the football players can change the national team if they want.


shobonenok's picture
shobonenok
07/04/2017 19:40
Russia
Manchester City
989

Correct me.

I was suprised only by the result, not by the Zaha and Benteke performances.
When all the European national teams played their matches to qualify to the World Cup in Russia, my national team played against....Ivory Coast and Belgium. Both of those strikers scored playing against Russia. If you haven't seen the Zaha's goal, please do it now. He cut around all the Russian defenders as the trees and scored a wonderful goal.
Despite the level of the Russian PL is lower than the English one, there are lots of suprising results in our Premier League. The team from the miidle of the table can take apart one of the title contenders and then lose against the main contender to relegate.

Speaking about Zaha, every football player needs a manager who trusts him and believes in his skills. Sam Allardyce is the manager who does it for the player, so it seems to be the right decision to stay at Palace for him.
There are lots of players who have returned to their former clubs: Pique (Barca), Arshavin (Zenit), Tevez (Boca Juniors), Gotze (Borussia Dortmund), Hummels (Bayern), Morata (Real Madrid), Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Shevchenko (Dinamo Kiev).

I'm not sure that it's necessary to change the rules. However, if I'm not mistaken, it's possible in cases of the former Spanish colonies where people can choose the citizenship (local or Spanish) and then the football players can change the national team if they want.

Rich's picture
Rich
11/04/2017
ES
594
points

Hi Shobonenok

Another good performance by Zaha in Palace's 3-0 win against Arsenal last night. Do you think the Russian team will be ready for the World Cup? Fans can't be too happy with recent results. I've made a few corrections below:

I was suprised only by the result, not by the Zaha's and Benteke's performances.
When all the European national teams played their matches to qualify to for the World Cup in Russia, my national team played against....Ivory Coast and Belgium. Both of those strikers scored playing against Russia. If you haven't seen the Zaha's goal, please do it now. He cut around all the Russian defenders, who were like as the trees, and scored a wonderful goal.
Despite the level of the Russian PL is being lower than the English one, there are lots of suprising results in our Premier League. The team from the miidle of the table can take apart one of the title contenders and then lose against the main contender to for  relegation.

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team


Rich's picture
Rich
11/04/2017 10:00
Spain
Liverpool
594

Hi Shobonenok

Another good performance by Zaha in Palace's 3-0 win against Arsenal last night. Do you think the Russian team will be ready for the World Cup? Fans can't be too happy with recent results. I've made a few corrections below:

I was suprised only by the result, not by the Zaha's and Benteke's performances.
When all the European national teams played their matches to qualify to for the World Cup in Russia, my national team played against....Ivory Coast and Belgium. Both of those strikers scored playing against Russia. If you haven't seen the Zaha's goal, please do it now. He cut around all the Russian defenders, who were like as the trees, and scored a wonderful goal.
Despite the level of the Russian PL is being lower than the English one, there are lots of suprising results in our Premier League. The team from the miidle of the table can take apart one of the title contenders and then lose against the main contender to for  relegation.

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

shobonenok's picture
shobonenok
14/04/2017
RU
989
points

Hi Rich

Fans are not just "not to happy", they are simultaneously furious and devastated. The quality of national team's performance tells a lot about our Premier League, because the Russian team consists of only the RPL players. Several days ago the Football Union of Russia accepted the Strategy of national football development. According to it, the Russian team is not considered as a team which can even overcome the group stage.
This statement can be an attempt to make the pressure on the national team lower, but I'm afraid, that the current level of the team is rather low. Look at the FIFA World Ranking, Russia is the 62nd! Uzbekistan, Panama, Saudi Arabia and DR Congo are closer to the 1st. What a shame for the fans...


shobonenok's picture
shobonenok
14/04/2017 17:14
Russia
Manchester City
989

Hi Rich

Fans are not just "not to happy", they are simultaneously furious and devastated. The quality of national team's performance tells a lot about our Premier League, because the Russian team consists of only the RPL players. Several days ago the Football Union of Russia accepted the Strategy of national football development. According to it, the Russian team is not considered as a team which can even overcome the group stage.
This statement can be an attempt to make the pressure on the national team lower, but I'm afraid, that the current level of the team is rather low. Look at the FIFA World Ranking, Russia is the 62nd! Uzbekistan, Panama, Saudi Arabia and DR Congo are closer to the 1st. What a shame for the fans...

RafaelRC's picture
RafaelRC
06/04/2017
BR
663
points

Correct me
I was surprised with the Palace's win, but this is very good for the championship, because brings more emotion for the league.
In Brazilian's championship there are more surprises than PL, because the team's football level is more equalized than in England, but the level in Brazil is equalized for under.
Zaha was right to return for eagles. This happened this year in Brazil, the midfielder Lucas Silva returned to Cruzeiro after plays in a bad form for Real Madrid and Olimpique de Marseille.
I think that the players don't be allowed to change your nationality.


RafaelRC's picture
RafaelRC
06/04/2017 02:21
Brazil
Arsenal
663

Correct me
I was surprised with the Palace's win, but this is very good for the championship, because brings more emotion for the league.
In Brazilian's championship there are more surprises than PL, because the team's football level is more equalized than in England, but the level in Brazil is equalized for under.
Zaha was right to return for eagles. This happened this year in Brazil, the midfielder Lucas Silva returned to Cruzeiro after plays in a bad form for Real Madrid and Olimpique de Marseille.
I think that the players don't be allowed to change your nationality.

Rich's picture
Rich
06/04/2017
ES
594
points

Hi RafaelRC

I've made a few corrections below.

I was surprised with by the Palace's win, but this is very good for the championship, because brings more emotion for the league it makes everything more exciting.
In Brazilian's championship there are more surprises than PL, because the team's football level is more equalized than in England, but although the level in Brazil is equalized for under it is a lower level.
Zaha was right to return for to the Eagles. This happened this year in Brazil, the midfielder Lucas Silva returned to Cruzeiro after playing in a badly form for Real Madrid and Olimpique de Marseille.
I think that the players don't shouldn't be allowed to change your their nationality. 

If you've got any questions about any of my corrections, just let me know.

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

 


Rich's picture
Rich
06/04/2017 21:21
Spain
Liverpool
594

Hi RafaelRC

I've made a few corrections below.

I was surprised with by the Palace's win, but this is very good for the championship, because brings more emotion for the league it makes everything more exciting.
In Brazilian's championship there are more surprises than PL, because the team's football level is more equalized than in England, but although the level in Brazil is equalized for under it is a lower level.
Zaha was right to return for to the Eagles. This happened this year in Brazil, the midfielder Lucas Silva returned to Cruzeiro after playing in a badly form for Real Madrid and Olimpique de Marseille.
I think that the players don't shouldn't be allowed to change your their nationality. 

If you've got any questions about any of my corrections, just let me know.

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

 

Emil
05/04/2017
RU
241
points

Correct me
I was totally surprised by this result. I didn't expect this result, and I as a fan Chelsea was totally sad. Chelsea didn't deserve zero points, they showed great football and deserve at least one point.

Zaha is a very good player, but now, better for him is play in Palace. He is a very good footballer and, I supposed to, he will rise in top player.

I think national games is the past. I think need to change anything.


Emil
05/04/2017 07:34
Russia
Chelsea
241

Correct me
I was totally surprised by this result. I didn't expect this result, and I as a fan Chelsea was totally sad. Chelsea didn't deserve zero points, they showed great football and deserve at least one point.

Zaha is a very good player, but now, better for him is play in Palace. He is a very good footballer and, I supposed to, he will rise in top player.

I think national games is the past. I think need to change anything.

Rich's picture
Rich
05/04/2017
ES
594
points

Hi Emil

Yes, it was a very surprising result, but every match is a challenge in the Premier League. I've made a corrections below:

I was totally surprised by this result. I didn't expect this result, and I as a fan Chelsea fan was totally sad devastated. Chelsea didn't deserve zero points, they showed played great football and deserved at least one point.

Zaha is a very good player, but now, it is better for him to play in Palace. He is a very good footballer and, I supposed to, think he will rise in become a top player.

I think national games is the past. I think need to change anything. 

  1. Chelsea fan - Chelsea is used as an adjective here.
  2. If you use 'totally' you need a strong adjective e.g. 'devastated' or 'shocked'
  3. I don't understand the final sentence. Maybe something like: 'Nobody is interested in international matches these days, I think it all needs to be changed.'

Hope that helps,

RIch - The Premier Skills English Team

 


Rich's picture
Rich
05/04/2017 10:26
Spain
Liverpool
594

Hi Emil

Yes, it was a very surprising result, but every match is a challenge in the Premier League. I've made a corrections below:

I was totally surprised by this result. I didn't expect this result, and I as a fan Chelsea fan was totally sad devastated. Chelsea didn't deserve zero points, they showed played great football and deserved at least one point.

Zaha is a very good player, but now, it is better for him to play in Palace. He is a very good footballer and, I supposed to, think he will rise in become a top player.

I think national games is the past. I think need to change anything. 

  1. Chelsea fan - Chelsea is used as an adjective here.
  2. If you use 'totally' you need a strong adjective e.g. 'devastated' or 'shocked'
  3. I don't understand the final sentence. Maybe something like: 'Nobody is interested in international matches these days, I think it all needs to be changed.'

Hope that helps,

RIch - The Premier Skills English Team

 

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