The Zaha loan transfer saga has finally come to an end as the 31-year-old winger, Wilfried Zaha, has joined French Ligue 1 club Lyon on a season-long loan from Turkish side Galatasaray. The move comes after Zaha’s struggling stint at Galatasaray, where he found himself being used as a substitute in most of the games towards the end of the season. As per reports, Zaha was not included in any of Galatasaray’s four league or Champions League games this season, ultimately leading to his loan transfer to Lyon.
Wilfried Zaha, known for his exceptional skills on the field, had a two-year stint at Crystal Palace before joining Galatasaray on a three-year deal last summer. His brilliant performances in the past have not gone unnoticed, and it’s no surprise that Lyon is eager to snap him up on loan for the current season. Speaking of which, the move to Lyon seems to be an excellent opportunity for Zaha to revive his career and get more game time under his belt.
Lyon, who earned their first win of the season with a 4-3 victory against Strasbourg on Friday, will undoubtedly benefit from Zaha’s inclusion in the team. Given the fact that Zaha has vast experience playing in English clubs such as Chelsea’s rivals, Manchester United, his knowledge of the game will undoubtedly contribute significantly to Lyon’s future performances.
Background of Zaha’s Transfer to Galatasaray
It all began last summer when Wilfried Zaha made a move to Galatasaray on a three-year deal. At that time, it was seen as an excellent opportunity for the club to benefit from Zaha’s exceptional skills. Galatasaray managed to pull off the transfer from Crystal Palace, but it seems they couldn’t capitalize on his talent. Zaha made a total of 42 appearances for the Turkish club, but he couldn’t shine as expected, particularly towards the end of the season.
Galatasaray’s inability to give Zaha enough game time ultimately led to his downfall, and as a result, the player had to seek a new opportunity to revive his career. As per reports, Galatasaray is looking to sign younger players to build a more robust and sustainable team, and the 31-year-old winger didn’t fit into their future plans.
What went wrong for Zaha at Galatasaray?
So, what exactly went wrong for Zaha at Galatasaray that made him a mere substitute? Industry insiders suggest that the main issue was Zaha’s inability to adapt to the new team and league. Manchester United and Crystal Palace ace might have tasted phenomenal success in the Premier League but failed to recreate similar magic in Turkey. In contrast, Zaha was required to adapt to a completely different football culture and environment in Turkey.
The language barrier and cultural difference often make it challenging for a player to adjust to new surroundings. As a result, it takes time for new signings to settle into their roles, and Zaha was no exception. He must have faced numerous challenges on and off the field during his one-year stint in Turkey. Additionally, it’s reasonable to believe that Zaha must have struggled with the overall tempo of the Turkish League, which is significantly different from what he was accustomed to in the Premier League.
What this transfer means for Lyon
Lyon secured an impressive win in their first league game against Strasbourg, marking the beginning of an exciting journey in the French league this season. Their win over Strasbourg came with several key highlights, and they are now in need of strengthening their squad further. With Zaha joining the Lyon team, there is a renewed sense of optimism among fans and analysts alike.
Zaha is an accomplished winger with an extraordinary attacking style that blends well with the team’s current playing strategy. Zaha boasts an unflinching pace and precision that will undoubtedly bolster Lyon’s current attacking position. However, considering Lyon’s current tactics and formations, there might be reasons to speculate about Zaha’s place on the team sheet.
Some reports also indicate that Zaha has struggled on the wings in the past, and there could be doubts over whether he will straight away start for Lyon. Despite these concerns, Zaha brings exceptional work rate, pace, and overall brilliance on the field. All of these attributes have contributed to an air of optimism around the club, with the possibility of Zaha helping Lyon become one of the French Ligue 1’s most dynamic and dominant forces.
Challenges that await Zaha in his new role
There is no doubt that Zaha possesses a level of sharpness and sheer skill on the field, but Lyon will hope that his experience playing in the various European leagues would have helped him gain invaluable knowledge, and that expertise could benefit Lyon’s crucial matches moving forward. However, we still have to wait and see how Zaha can weave this transition period with magical performances that define his quality on the field.
Speaking of performances, the club has now pinned hopes on the presence of Zaha to propel their charge towards Ligue1 glory. His quality and tenacity will significantly help boost the team’s spirit to survive tough challenges. Zaha should be looking to create his own scoring chances from every possible chance he receives in this season. However, it would also make a huge difference if the younger wingers in the squad learn from his vast experience and master the art of playing as a competitive winger in France’s top division.
Wilfried Zaha: A review of his football career
Before joining Crystal Palace in 2013, Zaha’s incredible performances at youth club Ivory Coast fueled a professional career. Chelsea then came calling and won the right to sign Wilfried following a fierce transfer battle when he signed an initial five-and-a-half-year deal but was instantly loaned back to Crystal Palace until the end of that season. Following this, he secured an important transfer move to Manchester United in 2013.
Some excellent football, international moves later on, in combination with high individual recognition in both the blue and the red half of the world, Zaha has struggled and risen in a truly dramatic style to start anew in different destinations. Various transfer developments paved his magnificent football journey and several teams showed a desire in attracting the skilled left-winger for their own good. However, one cannot ignore the quality and fame the player generates, ultimately letting the opposition know about a challenge that awaits when they face Zaha on the field.
Challenges ahead for the French Clubs featuring in Champions League this term
After losing several important star players during this transfer deadline, French clubs will have their task cut out in this season’s Champions League. The most critical challenge will be dealing with the expectation, the loss of brilliant finishers and sharp starters like Thilaud & Hakimi undoubtedly leave gaps that must be addressed immediately.