‘A chance’ – Patrick Vieira makes admission about Wilfried Zaha’s Crystal Palace future

Patrick Vieira believes there is still “a chance” that Wilfried Zaha will commit his future to Crystal Palace.

The Ivorian is in the final months of the five-year extension he signed in 2018 and will be a free agent come the summer.

Zaha is Palace’s record goalscorer and appearance holder in the club’s Premier League history.

When asked if Zaha was a player who thrived off being Palace’s best player, Vieira said: “It is something that has always been the case for Wilfried since he has been at the club. 

“There is this kind of story around Wilfried because he has always delivered – he is always scoring goals.

“He is an important player for us, but it is not just about him – it’s about how we perform as a team. 

“As a team, if we are performing well, Wilfried, with his quality, will score those goals. I count on him as much as I count on all the other players around him.”

The Palace academy graduate recorded his 450th appearance for the Eagles in the goalless draw with Newcastle United. But a hamstring injury has kept the forward out of the last four Premier League outings.

Zaha has six goals and two assists to his name this season.

“I don’t see any reason why not,” said Vieira, when asked whether he hoped Zaha would stay at Selhurst Park beyond the summer.

“The way he plays and shows passion for winning games, and with the way he cares about the fans and the football club, I still believe there is a chance to keep him.

“If there are options and he decides to leave it will be a sad moment, but we have to respect it – he has been really good to this football club.

“He may want to stay here and try to take the club to a different level and build something the fans will always remember.

“For this club, he is always going to be a legend.”