Many Crystal Palace fans have expressed their love for Wilfried Zaha after he thanked the support fans gave him after he came on against Everton.
The 26-year-old winger handed in a transfer request at the club on Wednesday after there were numerous bids rejected for him from both Arsenal and Everton, per The Guardian.
After the player got sent home on deadline day because he “wasn’t in the right frame of mind”, according to manager Roy Hodgson.
Speaking to Sky Sports News (via Yahoo Sports), Hodgson said: ““Yes he is staying. Absolutely. We are pleased about that.
“He is an important player for the club. We are looking forward to him doing this season what he has done for the last two seasons… Obviously, today he wasn’t in the right frame of mind. I sent him home today which is understandable. Last day. Transfer window.
“It has been well documented that he has wanted to leave. It’s not worked out for him in that respect. He is a professional and has a good contract with us. He is very much a player that we respect, and I believe he respects us here. We expect him to come back and do what he does. We are looking forward to having a season with us again.”
Roy Hodgson also admitted that Zaha had ‘beef’ with Crystal Palace’s owners and chairman, Steve Parish about the move, but denied that any relationship with players or coaches had broken down.
He added (Sky Sports News, via The Guardian): “Everyone here has a good relationship with him. There’s not a problem with that. His beef is with the chairman and owners of the club because he’s wanted to leave and they haven’t received the offer that they think is sufficient to allow him to leave.”
Even though Zaha potentially has problems with Steve Parish and the board, his thoughts for the fans and the club in general don’t look to have decreased. The Ivory Coast international was greeted to a standing ovation from the Palace faithful when he came on, something which clearly touched him, as his posts on Twitter suggests.
The winger wrote: “appreciate the support today”, followed by a prayer emoji and “2019/20” with a play sign emoji.
There was a pretty overwhelming response from Palace fans, essentially telling him to keep fighting for the club. Many users also told him that if he keeps working hard, he can eventually reach a much bigger club than Everton.
Here are some of the responses…
Appreciate the support today 2019/20 pic.twitter.com/Xl4syvjm5Y
— Wilfried Zaha (@wilfriedzaha) August 10, 2019
Palace fans seemed to appreciate the sentiment, and were generally more optimistic about the former youth player than they a few days ago when he submitted a transfer request.
Go to a big club Wilf, not the Liverpool wannabes
— Tommy Forster (@Tommyeff) August 10, 2019
We’ve supported you every minute you’ve played for us and we’ll continue to support you. You’ll never get the same love at any other Club. You’re Family and we’re all part of Our Club. Be part of us winning a trophy get us into Europe it’ll mean more
— Richard Kingdon (@soberich) August 10, 2019
You’ve earned it, over many years. We all know you‘ll leave us for something better at some point, and I don’t think any of us will begrudge you that. Hopefully today has shown you that despite spending big the gap between Palace and Everton is small. You can do better, and will
— Mark J (@MDJones82) August 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/KingEmbiid/status/1160253814622081024?s=20
Here to stay
— Guy (@_GuyCPFC) August 10, 2019
Love you mate x
— BN (@cpfcbailey) August 10, 2019
Wilf – this is home Dude!! No one, no crowd, no fans will love you more!!!
— jonathan morley (@jonathanmorle14) August 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/UbikWintermute/status/1160257605417050112?s=20
