Patrick Vieira insists Crystal Palace will do everything they can to keep hold of Wilfried Zaha amid reported transfer interest from Liverpool.
The influential Ivorian international remains as vital as ever at Selhurst Park in the seventh year of his second stint, having scored five goals already this term, though is out of contract at the end of the current 2022/23 season.
Discussions over an extension are ongoing, with Zaha potentially finally set to move on after sustained links to the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, while he is free to talk to foreign suitors in January if a deal is not agreed before then.
However, earlier this week the 29-year-old said he was happy being part of Palace’s youthful revolution and relishing his role as an elder statesman to help guide an impressive crop of young stars that includes the likes of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, Marc Guehi and Cheick Doucoure.
Vieira was inevitably quizzed again about Zaha’s future ahead of Palace’s Premier League trip to Everton on Saturday, with his side having clawed their way into mid-table after a tough start to the campaign courtesy of a 2-1 win over managerless strugglers Wolves on Tuesday in which Zaha inspired another comeback.
“There’s a speculation about all good players,” the Frenchman told reporters. “The only thing we can do is show him the love and I think he’s sending back the love. There’s no trouble or loss of energy on the matter, we know how important he is for us and he understands he’s a big player here.
“We expect a lot from him and Wilf loves to have that pressure on his shoulders. We will do everything to keep him.
“He loves the way we’re playing because it allows him to show how good he is. He understands he has an important role to play on and off the pitch. The young players give him that stigma to be a positive example.
“We have so many young players from the Championship, who need to learn what the Premier League is about. When you look at him and what he’s been doing, they’re in good hands.”
