Tweet
Not to let the talent slip through their fingers. It is very unusual a player is called from the Championship.
EXCLUSIVE: England win Zaha tussle as Hodgson hands shock call-up to Palace wonderkid
By Neil Ashton and Matt Barlow
PUBLISHED:20:41, 11 November 2012| UPDATED:09:01, 12 November 2012Wilfried Zaha will join up with England today after a night spent agonising over his dramatic call-up from Roy Hodgson.
The Crystal Palace sensation, also a target for Ivory Coast where he was born, was due to be picked up in an FA car at 5am today from his south London home and driven to Manchester, to link up with the squad for Wednesday’s friendly in Sweden, but only after hours of frantic negotiations between the forward’s representatives, Palace officials and the FA.
Before those talks, Zaha took a call from Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba on Wednesday urging him to play for the country of his birth at the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
The only way is up: Wilfried Zaha is floored against Peterborough on Saturday but is on the rise as a player
Read Neil Ashton on Wilfried Zaha
Crystal clear why Arsenal have joined hunt for Palace superstar
Zaha, 20 on Saturday, responded on Twitter after Sportsmail had revealed online he was in the England squad: ‘Wow everything’s happening so fast.’
Hodgson had been at Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool when he decided to add Zaha — man of the match in Palace’s 2-1 win at Peterborough on Saturday — to his squad.
He also called up Tottenham’s Tom Huddlestone and Arsenal right back Carl Jenkinson last night for the game in Stockholm. Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott of Arsenal, Liverpool star Jonjo Shelvey and Spurs pair Kyle Walker and Aaron Lennon were ruled out.
Tussle: Didier Drogba was hoping Zaha would commit to play for the Ivory Coast
Young Lion: Zaha has five Under 21 caps
Palace winger Zaha was at first reluctant to accept the invitation from Hodgson, fearing it would force him to make a snap call between England and Ivory Coast. He finally agreed at 9pm to join up with the full England squad.
Hodgson was on a train north and initially unable to control the chaos going on behind the scenes. He expected Zaha’s inclusion to be a formality but the winger, named the best young player in the Championship last season, wanted time to consider his decision.
As the Sweden match is viewed as a ‘non-competitive friendly’, Zaha could yet commit to Ivory Coast even if he plays for England on Wednesday. The same situation applies to Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling, 17, who is being courted by Jamaica, where he was born.
Drogba was understood to be persuasive last week in his approach to Zaha, who will continue to consider his options on the advice of the former Chelsea striker. Last week, Zaha told Sportsmail it was ‘50-50’ whether he would commit to England.
Having been born in Abidjan, Zaha moved to England with his extended family and eight siblings when he was four. He was lauded as the ‘best player in the division’ by Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson after Palace’s win there on Saturday.
Zaha celebrated his birthday with friends in London on Saturday night after yet another incredible performance for table-topping Palace.
Top form: Zaha has helped Palace to the top of the Championship
ZAHA FACTFILE
Name: Dazet Wilfried Armel Zaha.
Born: November 10, 1992 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 10st 6lb.
Club career: Joined Crystal Palace in 2009 - 98 appearances, 11 goals.
International: England Under 21 five caps.
Honours: Football League Young Player of the Year 2011-12.
He was picked by England Under 21 manager Stuart Pearce last month and appeared in both legs of the European Championship play-off against Serbia, which England won.
He was due to go with Pearce’s squad for their clash with Northern Ireland at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road tomorrow.
Rooney has pulled out with an ankle injury he picked up during United’s win at Aston Villa on Saturday. Walcott, Walker and Shelvey were also forced to withdraw with muscle strains.
Steven Gerrard twisted a knee during Liverpool’s draw at Chelsea but finished the game and hopes to be fit to captain his country and win his 100th international cap.
Jenkinson is called up for the first time after FIFA completed his paperwork to change his allegiance from Finland, whom he represented at Under 21 level.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz2C0eKsWNd
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
EXCLUSIVE: England win Zaha tussle as Hodgson hands shock call-up to Palace wonderkid
By Neil Ashton and Matt Barlow
PUBLISHED:20:41, 11 November 2012| UPDATED:09:01, 12 November 2012Wilfried Zaha will join up with England today after a night spent agonising over his dramatic call-up from Roy Hodgson.
The Crystal Palace sensation, also a target for Ivory Coast where he was born, was due to be picked up in an FA car at 5am today from his south London home and driven to Manchester, to link up with the squad for Wednesday’s friendly in Sweden, but only after hours of frantic negotiations between the forward’s representatives, Palace officials and the FA.
Before those talks, Zaha took a call from Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba on Wednesday urging him to play for the country of his birth at the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
The only way is up: Wilfried Zaha is floored against Peterborough on Saturday but is on the rise as a playerRead Neil Ashton on Wilfried Zaha
Crystal clear why Arsenal have joined hunt for Palace superstar
Zaha, 20 on Saturday, responded on Twitter after Sportsmail had revealed online he was in the England squad: ‘Wow everything’s happening so fast.’
Hodgson had been at Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool when he decided to add Zaha — man of the match in Palace’s 2-1 win at Peterborough on Saturday — to his squad.
He also called up Tottenham’s Tom Huddlestone and Arsenal right back Carl Jenkinson last night for the game in Stockholm. Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott of Arsenal, Liverpool star Jonjo Shelvey and Spurs pair Kyle Walker and Aaron Lennon were ruled out.
Tussle: Didier Drogba was hoping Zaha would commit to play for the Ivory CoastYoung Lion: Zaha has five Under 21 capsPalace winger Zaha was at first reluctant to accept the invitation from Hodgson, fearing it would force him to make a snap call between England and Ivory Coast. He finally agreed at 9pm to join up with the full England squad.
Hodgson was on a train north and initially unable to control the chaos going on behind the scenes. He expected Zaha’s inclusion to be a formality but the winger, named the best young player in the Championship last season, wanted time to consider his decision.
As the Sweden match is viewed as a ‘non-competitive friendly’, Zaha could yet commit to Ivory Coast even if he plays for England on Wednesday. The same situation applies to Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling, 17, who is being courted by Jamaica, where he was born.
Drogba was understood to be persuasive last week in his approach to Zaha, who will continue to consider his options on the advice of the former Chelsea striker. Last week, Zaha told Sportsmail it was ‘50-50’ whether he would commit to England.
Having been born in Abidjan, Zaha moved to England with his extended family and eight siblings when he was four. He was lauded as the ‘best player in the division’ by Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson after Palace’s win there on Saturday.
Zaha celebrated his birthday with friends in London on Saturday night after yet another incredible performance for table-topping Palace.
Top form: Zaha has helped Palace to the top of the ChampionshipZAHA FACTFILE
Name: Dazet Wilfried Armel Zaha.
Born: November 10, 1992 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 10st 6lb.
Club career: Joined Crystal Palace in 2009 - 98 appearances, 11 goals.
International: England Under 21 five caps.
Honours: Football League Young Player of the Year 2011-12.
He was picked by England Under 21 manager Stuart Pearce last month and appeared in both legs of the European Championship play-off against Serbia, which England won.
He was due to go with Pearce’s squad for their clash with Northern Ireland at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road tomorrow.
Rooney has pulled out with an ankle injury he picked up during United’s win at Aston Villa on Saturday. Walcott, Walker and Shelvey were also forced to withdraw with muscle strains.
Steven Gerrard twisted a knee during Liverpool’s draw at Chelsea but finished the game and hopes to be fit to captain his country and win his 100th international cap.
Jenkinson is called up for the first time after FIFA completed his paperwork to change his allegiance from Finland, whom he represented at Under 21 level.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz2C0eKsWNd
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Comment