Chelsea are heavily linked with a move for Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha with Frank Lampard keen on injecting some much-needed pace and creativity into his side going into the second half of the Premier League campaign.
Here’s a look at four reasons why Chelsea should sign the Ivory Coast international;
Premier League Experience
There are a bunch of wingers Chelsea could sign this month but not many of them possesses the experience that Wilfried Zaha has garnered from playing in the Premier League over the past decade.
Ever since he broke into Crystal Palace’s first team, the 27-year-old has proven to be one of the most flamboyant wingers in the modern Premier League era.
Chelsea are in need of a player who can jump into the first team and start performing from the get-go. Zaha’s Premier League experience will permit him to do just that.
Similarities to Eden Hazard
Chelsea have not been the same ever since Eden Hazard moved to Real Madrid in the summer transfer window. They’ve missed his ability to conjure goalscoring opportunities from thin air which is why Lampard’s side have struggled to score goals against teams that park the bus.
Zaha could replicate Hazard’s influence at Chelsea to a large extent as his skillset is quite similar to that of the former Lille man.
Zaha boasts blistering pace and the ability to create something out of nothing. He would play a key role in Chelsea’s fight for a top four finish should the Blues manage to acquire his services.
Performances For Palace
Despite plying his trade at Crystal Palace who, at their best, are a mid-table team, Zaha has been able to endear himself to Premier League fans thanks to his impressive performances for the Eagles.
Over the past few seasons, Zaha has proven to be one of the best wingers in the English top-flight, consistently earning plaudits from fans and fellow players alike.
In a significantly better side like Chelsea, Zaha would be able to show the Premier League what he’s truly made of.
Upgrade on Willian
Willian is undoubtedly a Chelsea icon. He has been nothing short of fantastic for Chelsea ever since he arrived at the club, however, there’s no denying that his abilities have waned over the past two seasons.
Whilst Willian remains a quality player, Zaha would serve as a massive upgrade on him, especially considering the fact that at 31 years old, Willian is now going into the latter stages of his career.
