Wilfried Zaha can emulate Southampton 'icon' Matt Le Tissier at Crystal Palace, says Roy Hodgson
Wilfried Zaha has the chance to achieve similar status to Matt Le Tissier at Southampton and become a Crystal Palace icon, according to manager Roy Hodgson.
After intense speculation surrounding his future at Selhurst Park, Zaha penned a new five-year deal in south London following the close of the Premier League transfer window.
That followed an opening day goal at Fulham as Palace got off to a good start in their quest to build on staying in the top flight last season.
Le Tissier, who scored 209 career goals for the Saints before retiring in 2002, turning down a move to boyhood club Tottenham in his prime.
"I have an enormous respect for Matt Le Tissier,” Hodgson said when asked if Zaha could emulate the former Southampton man, dubbed ‘Le God’ on the south coast.
"That would have been a career I'd have been unbelievably proud of, to have a career at one club and to be as much of an icon and to be as well loved and as well respected at that club as he is, and furthermore to have the respect of everyone in football.
In Pictures | Wilfried Zaha models the new 2018-19 Crystal Palace kit
In Pictures | Wilfried Zaha models the new 2018-19 Crystal Palace kit
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"I don't know anyone in football who has ever said anything other than that Matt Le Tissier was a fantastic player, fantastic person, a fantastic club servant.
"That is not such a bad thing to have people say about you when your career is over. I would have been very happy with that."
