Townsend Eager For Zaha Stay

Andros Townsend says everyone at Crystal Palace is hoping Wilfried Zaha is still at the club next season.

Ivory Coast international Zaha, who became the club’s highest-paid player last summer when signing a new five-year contract, netted his 10th Premier League strike of the season in Saturday’s 3-2 victory at Cardiff, the first time the forward has ever reached double figures in a single campaign.

The 26-year-old has been an integral first-team member since returning to Palace permanently from Manchester United in 2015, but he cast doubts over his future at Selhurst Park last month after hinting he wants to be playing Champions League football.

Englishman Townsend, who has scored five goals from 37 league appearances this season, has lavished praise on his team-mate and is keeping his fingers crossed Zaha decides to stay with the Eagles. “We’re lucky to have him at Palace and hopefully we can keep him for a little bit longer,” he told reporters. “The players, the manager, the staff, the fans all love Wilf and all want him to stay. “He’s a top-class player and, without doubt, the most naturally talented player I’ve ever played with.

If you see some of the stuff he does in training on a day-to-day basis, it’s incredible. “But if that day does come this summer, next summer or the summer after where he feels like he has to move on, we’ll give him our best wishes.”