Wilfried Zaha’s legacy as a Crystal Palace player is well secured, though with his long-term future in doubt once again the club shouldn’t be afraid to let him leave on their terms.
The Ivorian, who this season passed the landmark of 50 Premier League goals for the Eagles, has just over a year left on his current contract at Selhurst Park and is reportedly not planning on signing an extension at present.
Palace have put a high price tag on their talisman in years gone by when clubs have expressed interest in him, though they must now decide whether to cash in or keep his talents for one more season before seeing him leave on a free next summer.
Before, when Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and Bayern Munich were all said to be keen on Zaha’s signature, the Eagles were reliant on the winger to score the goals that would keep them in the Premier League.
But now, with a packed roster of exciting young talent in forward positions, there is less of a need for the winger to always be the go-to player to perform on matchdays.
That suits everyone. It means Patrick Vieira can call on other players to be the side’s attacking outlet and it gives Zaha the opportunity to play without shackles and have more freedom to express himself.
Only it hasn’t always worked like that this season. While the first part is evidently true - Michael Olise, Odsonne Edouard and Conor Gallagher have all chipped in with goals and assists this season - the second part, the one which Zaha can control himself, has been less concrete.
His six goals and one assist is a decent return, but by his usual standards, there is still more that can be improved upon.
Vieira has said regularly this season that Zaha still has potential he can fulfil in a Crystal Palace shirt and that he wants to see him contribute in front of goal more consistently than he has been this season.
"I strongly believe that he can go to a different level. He can score more goals, and he can make more assists – he can be more decisive," said the Frenchman.
"He has the confidence of the football club, of myself and my staff, and we believe how good he can be for the football club and for himself to go to a different level."
So Palace have a decision to make, especially if Zaha doesn’t sign a new contract. He turns 30 this year but still, in the club's eyes, has a lot more to give them on the pitch.
Their options are to either keep him until his contract runs out and lose him on a free or to accept a cut-price fee for him and see him go before then.
Neither sound hugely attractive in the short-term but if this is how Zaha's time at the club is going to end then they at least are in a good position as they've ever been to cope with his departure.
