Wilfried Zaha, a proven Premier League performer with over 450 Crystal Palace appearances, 89 goals, and 76 assists, is a player that divides opinion. Despite being a talismanic attacker with a remarkable fitness record, who has been the target for tacklers and the Premier League's most fouled player by some distance since his return to Selhurst Park in 2014, there are still doubts about him.
As Zaha is set to become a free agent this summer, rumors have revived talk about his future and perceptions of the misunderstood Ivory Coast winger. Palace is understood to have offered him the most lucrative deal in the club's history, worth close to £200,000 per week, but there are other tempting offers from Saudi club Al-Ittihad and AC Milan.
Many of the myths surrounding Zaha's ability have been debunked by fans, such as his end product, attitude, and diving. The statistics speak for themselves, with Zaha having been in the Premier League's top three most fouled players in seven of the last nine seasons, topping the list four times.
Zaha's status as Palace's 'main guy' has brought him unwanted attention and left him with a chip on his shoulder. Despite being consistently kicked for the best part of 15 years, he still strives to win and has battled against relegation to try and get his team into the top half and European picture.
Crystal Palace fans appreciate and realize Zaha's value to the team, and former Eagles manager Patrick Vieira believes he will deserve recognition with a place in the Premier League's hall of fame. Zaha's misunderstood myths have created a sense of injustice that fuels his desire to win, and if Palace were on the cusp of Europe, he wouldn't be going anywhere.