Wilfried Zaha left Crystal Palace last summer for Galatasaray, and he has now spoken out about his departure.
Zaha is a club legend at Crystal Palace, with 458 appearances, 90 goals, and 62 assists. He rose through the academy and quickly became a star in the Championship, earning the admiration of Sir Alex Ferguson, who signed him for Manchester United in 2013. However, after an unsuccessful stint at United, Zaha returned to Palace and stayed until his free transfer to Galatasaray in 2023.
Now, the 31-year-old Ivory Coast international has shared his reasons for leaving Palace during an appearance on The Unpressables Podcast.
“Champions League is top. But I just needed something new. The Premier League is top, but I wanted my identity to be more than just Crystal Palace,” Zaha said. “I love Crystal Palace, but I’m more than that. I didn’t want my talent to be seen as just a player who did tricks and nutmegs in the Premier League. I helped the team win games. If I didn’t play, we weren’t winning.”
Zaha’s desire to win trophies was a driving factor in his decision to leave, as Palace seemed far from achieving that goal. However, under new manager Oliver Glasner, the club’s ambitions have changed, sparking rumors that Zaha might return to the Premier League.
In late June, reports emerged that Galatasaray was considering selling Zaha and had informed Crystal Palace of their decision, hoping for interest from his former club. There is speculation that Zaha regrets his move to Galatasaray, potentially paving the way for a return to Selhurst Park. Despite his comments, the more ambitious environment under Glasner could tempt Zaha to return if the opportunity arises.
This situation is one to watch closely in the coming months.
