Why Chelsea FINALLY Turned A Corner.
As we approach the end of July, Crystal Palace are still waiting to hear from Wilfried Zaha after putting a contract offer on the table.
According to the Guardian, Steve Parish has offered the Ivory Coast international a four-year deal worth £200,000-a-week (£10m-a-season) after his previous terms expired on June 30th.
As things stand, there has been no response – so, if Wilfried Zaha decides not to stay at Crystal Palace, here’s what we think Dougie Freedman should do.
What’s the story?
Well, £200,000-a-week is a lot of money, and it is enough to bring more than one quality player to Selhurst Park if the 30-year-old decides to move elsewhere.
In our view, we believe Parish and Freedman should look to inject those funds on deals for Callum Hudson-Odoi and Matheus Franca if Zaha does choose to depart.
The Guardian’s Ed Aarons believes we have already asked Chelsea about Hudson-Odoi’s situation, while Fabrizio Romano has stated that Franca is open to joining Crystal Palace after a bid was made, despite interest from the Blues.
Both of those forwards represent long-term options, as they are only 22 and 19 respectively.
As much as we – and everyone else associated with Crystal Palace – adore Zaha, he is now 30 years of age, so it would make sense to splash the £200,000-a-week offered to him on deals for Hudson-Odoi and Franca.
The latter can operate centrally, meaning he can be a potential upgrade on Odsonne Edouard and Jean-Philippe Mateta, while Hudson-Odoi is a natural touchline hugger of a winger who takes defenders on, like Zaha used to be.
Crystal Palace could move for Hudson-Odoi and Franca even if Zaha stays
By the sounds of it, money is tight at Selhurst Park this summer – The Athletic believe sales are needed until significant arrivals can be financed.
That is why we have suggested moves for Hudson-Odoi and Franca in the event of Zaha leaving.
However – according to London World – Chelsea could allow Hudson-Odoi to leave for free as they look to offload him this summer, 12 months ahead of his contract expiring.
If the Blues do decide to tear up the England international’s contract, then a deal for him, as well as Franca, surely isn’t impossible for us to complete.
