Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Premier League • England

Newcastle told why Crystal Palace star on Tottenham, Arsenal radars would thrive under Eddie Howe

Wilfried Zaha, Eberechi Eze, Crystal Palace, August 2022

Paul Robinson has tipped Wilfried Zaha to have an impact at Newcastle United, hinting that the Magpies should pursue him among big club interest.

Zaha has been Palace’s biggest name for much of his time at the club. Indeed, he is their all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League, with 66 goals.

The forward has perhaps been at his best over the course of the last year or so. Zaha netted his highest goals tally in a season last term, notching 14 goals in the Premier League, as well as one in the FA Cup.

This season, he has continued in his top vein of form. The Ivory Coast international has scored five goals and provided one assist in the 10 games he has played.

He is currently joint for tenth in the list of the league’s highest scorers. What’s more, he is has scored more than the likes of Mohamed Salah.

Given Zaha’s top form of late, he has garnered interest from some sides wanting to take him on board. Palace have weathered interest in their star for years up to this point.

However, this year there is the caveat of the star’s contract, which runs out at the end of the season. Indeed, it may well be that Zaha leaves Selhurst Park when his deal is up.

That is the view of many people, that was recently relayed by transfer insider David Ornstein.

The likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham, among other big names, have been linked with Zaha of late. Those sides will no doubt be waiting to see what does happen with his contract.

Zaha could struggle to break in

The chances of Zaha moving to some of the aforementioned sides and getting game time may be unlikely. That is according to former Premier League goalkeeper Robinson.

“Look at Spurs, would he get in that front three? Probably not,” he told Football Insider.

“You would be taking him for the sake of taking him.

“There was talk of him going to Arsenal but with the form [Gabriel] Martinelli and [Bukayo] Saka are in I’m not sure he would start.

“He will not want to go to a top-six club for the sake of it. He will want to play. Zaha is a high quality player. The last thing he wants is to be a bit-part player.”

Indeed, given Zaha is nearly 30, he will not have too many chances left to perform at a big club. As such, he will not want to make a move to one just to sit on the bench.

Newcastle in the mix for Zaha transfer

Robinson’s analysis seems fairly spot on – Zaha would do well to displace any of the stars in either of Spurs or Arsenal’s front line.

However, the pundit has thrown another side into the mix that he could star at.

“When you look at Newcastle, that could be an option. Look at the way they play with [Allan] Saint-Maximin and [Miguel] Almiron. I think he would fit into that system. He could have an impact there and play most weeks.”

Indeed, Newcastle could be the perfect situation for Zaha. They are clearly on an upwards trajectory, and are quickly becoming a big name in English football once again.

That much is evident from their current position in the table. The Magpies are fourth, having lost just one of their 12 games so far.

Despite that, they are not a side filled with big-name players. Zaha, therefore, could make a move to St James’ Park and become one of the big figures.