Crystal Palace defender: You can’t argue with Wilfried Zaha being voted our top player

By Andrew McSteen

James Tomkins reckons there can be no arguments that Wilfried Zaha walked away with Crystal Palace’s 2017-18 Player of the Year award.

The Eagles centre-back has made 27  Premier League appearances this season and has been well-placed to experience all the ups and downs of a season which could end with a to-10 finish on Sunday when the club host relegated West Bromwich Albion at Selhurst Park.

Zaha picked up the award on Wednesday night at the end-of-season club awards held at Boxpark, Croydon – the third straight year the Ivory Coast international has claimed the accolade. It was a free-to-attend event for the community put on by the club.

 “It is hard to argue with that,” said Tomkins. “He is a player that can change the game himself and who can win games on his own and he has proven that this year.

“Unfortunately, we lost him for a little while and our points total deteriorated when he was injured but when he came back in the side he proved why he is player of the year – well done to Wilf.”

With the fast-pace of the Premier League causing numerous defences problems, Tomkins admitted that having defensive midfielder, and captain Luka Milivojevic, just in front, combined with the ability of the attacking line to hold the ball up, it has helped the defence take a much-needed breather in games and provide the chance to regroup.

“We have that breathing space with Wilf and the quality players we have got,” said Tomkins. “But there are a few candidates this year. Luka has been very good, and he has chipped in with the goals too and we have needed his goals this year. Other than Wilf we didn’t get too many goals, but Macca (James McArthur) chipped in with a few as well and Patrick (Van Aanholt) too, which is nice.

“There is also Rubes [Ruben Loftus-Cheek] too and when we got those players back fit we have been a real threat.”

With that solitary game left of the season and a possible top-half finish, Tomkins also admitted that after such a bad start to the season where his side went seven league games without a point or goal he would not have expected back then that such a turnaround could happen.

“You always believe you can get out of trouble, but to [still be able to] to finish in the top half you wouldn’t have believed it really,” said Tomkins. “We could do that on Sunday is hard to even get into perspective after that awful start we had but it is credit to the lads and the manager and everyone at the club really that’s done this.

 “We still have one more game to go, and we can’t forget that, but mentally and physically [a break] is much-needed, so I will enjoy that and then be back ready for pre-season.”