Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson is excited by the ‘buzz’ surrounding Wilfried Zaha and believes the Manchester United youngster will light up England’s future.
The 20-year-old won the penalty that secured Crystal Palace promotion to the Premier League, a play-off win said to be worth an estimated £120million.
And Hodgson is confident the United-loannee will thrive under the pressure at Old Trafford, if he is given the chance by new boss David Moyes.
“It seems to me he is on the threshold of something big,” Hodgson told The FA website. “I like Wilfried Zaha, he is a good player.
“I went to Palace not so long back to have a look at him and of course he now has a massive move to Manchester United.
“He will be given the opportunity. When a club like Manchester United is prepared to pay a lot of money for a player, because they will help them to win things, it is a tremendous boost to both confidence and ego.
“As coaches we can’t do any more. After you have lit the touch paper, all we can do is sit back and hope they buzz.”
Zaha was not selected by Hodgson for England’s friendly fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil having only finished his season with Palace on Sunday.
The trickster was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in January for £15million but loaned back to Ian Holloway’s outfit, scoring twice in the play-off semi final against Brighton.
Picture courtesy of James Boyes, with thanks.
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