Zaha an unknown quantity
Lamps wants to see stars light up Bridge
WILFRIED ZAHA believes he is misunderstood both on and off the pitch – and wants to do something about it.
The Crystal Palace star, 27, says the man the fans see is a million miles from his off-field persona.
“All everyone ever sees is angry, passionate Wilf playing,” he said.
“When I play football I am very passionate, I like to win. There are more sides to me.
“It does frustrate me. You don’t even know me, but you have decided you don’t like me. How is that possible? It’s crazy, man! I’m actually a nice guy.
“I’m that panto villain that every club hates. We played against Colchester, I’ve never played against them before, I go on and I get booed.
“I’m thinking, ‘You don’t even know me, why are you booing me?’”
Zaha enjoys giving back, has his own charity – an orphanage Tomorrow’s Hope run by his sister in Ivory Coast – and is religious.
His three-year-old son is his escape from football and the angry world that can surround it.
Zaha grew up idolising Ronaldinho, still wants to be that entertainer and yet is humble enough to admit he was starstruck when he met his boyhood hero.
He is also frustrated by being one of the most fouled players in the Premier League.
Ahead of Palace’s trip to Brighton this lunchtime, he said: “The thing that gets on my nerves is when people say, ‘Take the abuse as a compliment, take the kicks as a compliment.’ If I’m walking off with crutches, that’s not a compliment.”
Such treatment is not the motivation for the winger, who added: “I just have the love for my craft.
“It’s come from my family. They were strict, very strict.
“I wasn’t allowed to go to so many parties with my friends when I was young but when you grow up you realise there’s always another party tomorrow.
“I’m glad I sacrificed that. Now my life is just based around my son. He’s taught me patience.”
FRANK LAMPARD has fired a warning to his players that they have until the end of the season to prove themselves.
Tuesday’s 3-0 Champions League humbling by Bayern Munich highlighted just how far Chelsea have to go to get back into Europe’s elite.
Hanging on to fourth place and ensuring Champions League qualification is crucial for the Blues boss (below).
He insists the Stamford Bridge board are behind him but a summer clear out could be on the cards.
Ahead of today’s trip to Bournemouth, Lampard said: “There is a reason why we are where we are. We have not challenged in the Premier League for a couple of years. We want to close that gap.
“Come the summer, of course, as a club we want to move forward and make some decisions.
“We are certainly on the same page here when I speak with the board. We know we are fighting for fourth place.
“The landscape of the Premier League has changed.
“Man City and Liverpool have set incredible standards, we had some outside influences, with the transfer ban and a huge player in Eden Hazard leaving.
“How long can these players go on being considered young? I don’t know.
“I suppose it’s when they’ve a bank of games behind them. Or when a younger player comes through.
“Maturity will come for them, that’s why we have to give them some leeway this year.”
The Blues’ problems continue as top scorer Tammy Abraham will be missing again after he aggravated an ankle injury.
Lampard said: “I don’t know how long he’ll be out. It’s been frustrating.” (right)