Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is set to make a move for former Manchester United winger #Wilfried Zaha in the January transfer window following the 25-year-old's impressive season for Crystal Palace. Zaha impressed again this weekend with a superb performance including a well-taken goal in his side's 3-0 win over Leicester that took Roy Hodgson's men outside the relegation zone for the first time since August.
Tottenham and Arsenal have previously declared their interest in the Ivory Coast international, with Spurs unable to conclude a deal in the summer.
This led Zaha to sign a new deal at Selhurst Park. Chelsea has struggled this season to defend their title while having to juggle domestic and European football for the first time since Conte's arrival. Conte has seen the strength and depth of his team questioned at times with defeats to West Ham and Roma in games they were expected to win.
Rejuvenated Zaha
After seven games without a point, Roy Hodgson was chosen to replace the outgoing Frank de Boer, but the return of the previously injured Zaha in October appears to have sparked the upturn in fortunes for the South London club. The skilful winger helped Palace to their first win of the season against Chelsea with Conte keeping an eye on his form ever since.
Zaha is shaking off the inconsistency he showed earlier in his career, turning in more mature and instrumental performances each week.
With Palace moving out of the relegation zone into 14th place for the first time since August following their 3-0 win over the Foxes, they would be reluctant to sell their talisman. They will want to avoid being dragged back into a relegation battle that they are not yet clear of.
Important goals against the Blues, West Ham and Leicester have helped the Eagles to a 7 match unbeaten run, their best in Premier League history with the contribution of Zaha's good form.
Chelsea may be willing to wait till the summer to sign the former Manchester United winger, but the lure of Champions League football and the sense of unfinished business at a big club may well be too much temptation to turn down for Zaha after his previous failed spell at United.
After moving to Old Trafford for a fee of £10m in January 2013, impressing scouts in Palace's promotion-winning season, Zaha struggled under David Moyes only making four appearances before being loaned back to Cardiff. He rejoined the Eagles in 2014 initially on loan before moving back to Selhurst Park permanently in the summer of 2015, after being surplus to requirements from United boss Louis van Gaal.
