Mariappa encourages 'top six' transfer for Zaha

Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha

Friday Mar 03, 2023. 12:00

Ex-Crystal Palace defender Adrian Mariappa has backed Wilfried Zaha to do well at a top six team in the Premier League, as the skilful winger weighs up his options.

Zaha has been a standout performer in the Premier League this season as he enjoys one of his best periods in the blue and purple of Crystal Palace.

The Ivorian winger is out of contract at the end of the season and is yet to sign an extension to his current deal at Selhurst Park.

With Zaha in the last six months of his contract, the 30-year-old is reportedly on the radar of top Premier League clubs, while attracting interest from clubs in Spain and Italy.

Now though, Mariappa mentioned that his former teammate can play for one of the top teams in the Premier League and that he matured as a player.

“For Wilf, I’m sure he’ll want to have another crack at trying to maybe play for one of those top six teams or maybe it could be abroad,” Mariappa told TalkSport.

“I’m sure he’ll want to have a crack at playing European football.

“If he does move to pastures new, I think he’s earnt the right to have another crack at it because when he moved to Man United, he was very young and obviously it wasn’t a period that worked out for him at the time.

“I’m sure he’s learnt from that process and what he’s grown into now, I would love to see him just have a go at trying to break into one of the bigger teams.”