Results prove Crystal Palace are capable of Europe if Wilf Zaha stays

After a dire start to the season, losing seven consecutive matches without so much as scoring a goal, for Crystal Palace to be in with a chance of a top half finish is frankly remarkable.

When you consider that winless, goalless streak accounts for almost 20% of their league season so far, the fact that they are not only now 11th, but the division’s 12th top scorers is sensational, and Roy Hodgson certainly deserves immense credit for the Eagles turnaround.

However, there is no secret to the most important man at Palace. The fans know, the manager knows it and the player himself probably knows it, which will make a decision this summer with regards to his future a difficult one.

Wilfried Zaha is Palace through and through after all, and already has the experience of knowing that the grass isn’t always greener. In truth a move to Manchester United came too soon for the forward, and a step that under the circumstances he was not mature enough to take at that time.

Since returning to the club that raised him though, where he is adored by the fans for good reason, Zaha has grown into a more level-headed and infinitely more consistent star.

At 25 he can now be considered just that. Zaha isn’t just an exciting prospect capable of moments of magic anymore but one that effects almost every game in which he plays, which is very rare.

He’s an absolute nightmare for defenders, not only down to his pace and trickery but the fact that he is stronger than so many of them now too. As such he’s scythed down with great regularity, and once he’s in the opposition box that makes him an outstanding weapon to have.

Opponents simply don’t know what to do when they face Zaha right now, and a move into a more central position has increased his productivity. An eighth goal of the season at the weekend ensured he bettered last season’s tally despite having not started ten matches due to injury.

Indeed, had the Ivory Coast international - what might have been for England is another matter entirely - has had a monumental impact on Palace’s results this season.

Without a single point from said ten matches without their undisputed talisman, the Eagles have lost just six of 26 that Zaha has started, averaging 1.46 points and 1.42 goals per game. To put that into context, over the course of a season that would equate to 56 points and 54 goals.

With that in mind, and given their development since Hodgson’s arrival, there’s no reason whatsoever why Palace shouldn’t be aiming to break into the sides battling for a European finish that seventh spot tends to assure next season. If they can keep Zaha this summer it’s a realistic ambition. Lose him and who knows what the best the club can hope for will be.