England under-21 boss Stuart Pearce insists new Manchester United signing Wilfried Zaha is the man to fire his side to European Championship glory this summer.
Zaha, on –loan at former club Crystal Palace, fired Ian Holloway’s outfit into the Championship play-off final with two goals against Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday night.
The 20-year-old won his only senior Three Lions cap as a winger but, despite only scoring eight times for Palace this campaign, Pearce believes the trickster can lead the line in Israel.
“You could see that with the smile on his face when he scored against Brighton,” Pearce told the Telegraph.
“He has come on as a centre-forward for the under-21s and if you look at his second goal, it was very much a centre-forward’s finish.
“He is happy to get in close contact with the central defender, he rolled him and finished very well.”
And the former Manchester City man, who announced his under-21 squad at St George’s Park on Tuesday, believes United have secured an improving talent in Zaha.
“He is enjoying his football,” he added.
“He is an improving talent who can give you highs and lows over a season. He’s a young man learning the game but his brilliance has got Palace to a play-off final.”
Picture courtesy of James Boyes, with thanks.
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