West Ham United manager David Moyes has admitted that Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha 'could play for a number of top teams' ahead of the two London clubs meeting at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Scotsman briefly managed the Ivory Coast international when Manchester United manager in the 2013/14 season, handing him four appearances across all competitions that term before the winger eventually joined Cardiff City on loan.
Zaha then rejoined Palace the following season, initially on loan, before signing permanently and is now in his ninth season since returning to Selhurst Park and has repeatedly been subject to speculation regarding a move to a bigger club.
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The 29-year-old has five goals and one assist in 11 matches to his name thus far and, speaking ahead of Sunday's match, Moyes reflected on the progress of his former player.
"Wilf looks as though he has matured greatly and he could play for a number of top teams, if he chose to do so," the West Ham boss admitted. "Sometimes, when you feel like you’re at home and you are enjoying your surroundings… he is a big player for them and a key ingredient to Palace. From that point of view, the grass isn’t always greener. I have no doubt Wilf could play for many other teams if he chose to do so."
The Scotsman was also asked whether, if given more time, he would've been able to develop Zaha himself, responding: "It was a little bit difficult. I took over at a difficult time. I didn’t get long.
"Wilf went out on loan, he was a young player coming into quite an experienced squad. With him given time to mature, it was proven to be a really good signing by Manchester United because he has gone on to become a top player. sometimes some players can take longer than others and when they develop, sometimes you need that opportunity.
"The competition Wilf had in front of him at Man United was huge. It made it more difficult. He went out on loan and I was gone by the time he came back."
Both the Hammers and the Eagles have four Premier League wins to their name so far this season, with three of the former's victories coming at the London Stadium whilst the latter have taken just three points on their travels with all four wins being at Selhurst Park.
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