Crystal Palace have had some special talents in the past decade but which of the three standout players is best?
This is a question which has long been in the minds of Crystal Palace supporters with Wilfried Zaha, Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze all absolutely deserving of being ranked above each other.
In many ways, it is a true blessing to have had three divine footballers grace the club in the past few years. But on the other hand, losing two was as painful as it was sweet to have their services.
Eze is the only one who remains at the club, donning the No.10 shirt as he regularly creates pure magic in a red and blue shirt for the Eagles – most recently Eze scored a beautiful goal against Chelsea.
Now, the question has been answered by Oliver Glasner’s club captain, Joel Ward.
- READ MORE: Who is Michael Olise? The Crystal Palace wonderkid that Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City missed
Joel Ward chooses between Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Wilfried Zaha
It is an almost impossible task to choose between the three superstars who have graced Selhurst Park in recent years with each being a cult hero or club legend in their own right.
Zaha is an undisputable club great, while Olise was well on his way and Eze could yet achieve this status as he remains at the club for the 2024/25 season in which Crystal Palace have aspirations for European football.
But for Ward, two names stand out above the other, while the two are lauded for separate talents.
Ward was speaking on talkSPORT this week, and in doing so was asked by Darren Bent to choose between Eze, Olise and Zaha in terms of natural ability.
“All-round natural ability? Technical ability, I would say Ebs [Ebere Eze]”, the club captain revealed, before naming who is thinks has the most natural ability.
“Natural ability – I am going to go with Olise. I think it’s frightening to see what he came in and done and where it could go.”
Ward snubbing Zaha is slightly harsh considering he played with him for the longest period, however it is far from a shock.
Zaha is a different player to Olise and Eze, with his pace and power being a huge contributor to his game – along with his obvious talent and ability. Meanwhile Olise and Eze lack pace and power to some degree and instead use other talents and technical ability to be a threat – so it is no shock.
Crystal Palace will be on the hunt for the next club great
While thinking about these great names who have wowed SE25 for so many years is all well and good, ultimately Crystal Palace will not want to be looking back and instead will have Dougie Freedman set on finding the next great.
Olise is gone and in his place, Ismaila Sarr arrived from Marseille. This is an exciting addition, but not one which will lead to the club unearthing a gem.
So with Eze ultimately expected to depart next summer after staying this year, finding a young talent with sky-high potential will be of the utmost importance.
It has been suggested that if Eze was sold this summer Johan Bakayoko would have been signed, which would have been an immense pick-up.
So knowing this, it would be no shock to see a new dynamic and technical winger with the X-factor eyed up throughout this season, perhaps even a return for Bakayoko.
