Holloway admits Arsenal, Spurs & Man Utd target has been distracted by transfer talk

Monday, January 7, 2013
11:45 AM

Ian Holloway admits sought-after Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has “had his head on other things” amid serious interest from Premier League clubs.

The talented 20-year-old has become the hottest property in the Championship this season with a string of dazzling performances which saw him handed his first England cap.

He was in fine form in Palace’s FA Cup third round stalemate with Stoke City on Saturday, proving a handful for the Potters’ hardened top flight defenders.

Holloway has been delighted with Zaha’s performances but admits it has been hard for the youngster to focus amid speculation that he could leave the club this month.

“Wilf has to be disciplined and play for the team and that is what he has done over the past two games, totally and utterly,” he told the Mirror.

“But for the last couple of weeks he’s had his head on other things because it is very hard, as a young man, to keep that level of consistency because people are talking about you.

“If he does what he did against Stoke then a Premier League side will come and get him and if they do, what can I do about it?”