'He moans about everything but he’s Crystal Palace's best' - Yohan Cabaye on Wilfried Zaha

Former Crystal Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye will be sad to see Wilfried Zaha leave Selhurst because according to him the Ivorian is simply the best and represents everything that is beautiful about the south London club.

Zaha was born in Abidjan but brought up in Croyden joined Palace at the age of 11, in a world where nothing is given the 30-year-old worked his way through the age group and now stands proudly as one of the best, if not the best to have ever played for the club.

Adversity teaches us a lot about the character of an individual and ill spells at Manchester United and Cardiff formed him into an incredibly competitive athlete.

Zaha has racked up 458 appearances, scoring more than 90 goals but he could have played his last game for the club after being forced off in the 2-0 win over Bournemouth.

Time after time Zaha has been the saviour of Palace, demanding more from everyone who comes to the club and leading from the front even without the armband.

Yohan Cabaye who played with Zaha in a three-year spell says he’s as competitive as they come before jokingly adding that he moans about the smallest of things in training and in games.

Cabaye told LondonWorld in an exclusive interview: “Wilf is a funny guy. He is a faithful guy too, he has values and funny also.

“Sometimes he moans about small things but he always wants to win and always wants to create something on the field, he’s the best.

“He always wants to be better and better and what he’s done for Palace in his career is unbelievable and he deserves everything he’s had, I don't know what is going to happen for him next season but I hope that he will stay at Palace but only him knows this.”

Crystal Palace have offered a staggering £200-000-a-week wage to try and keep Zaha, this will smash the club’s wage bill but it's proof of how high the board and everyone at the club hold the Ivorian forward.

There are reports that the only thing stopping Zaha from signing a new deal in south London is that he has ambitions of playing in the Champions League again.

Other sources have said he wants assurance that the club will be ambitious and try to at least challenge for some form of European football in the next couple of seasons.

The next manager appointed to lead the Eagles will also give an indication of where the club is heading especially having seen rivals Brighton and Hove Albion break the glass ceiling and qualify for the Europa League under a progressive and entertaining manager backed by impressive and smart signings.

One thing is certain though, whatever Wilfried Zaha decides, it will be with the blessing of a fanbase who have not only grown to love but also respect him because of his unquestionable professionalism and dedication to the club.