Zaha rejects Southgate claims

Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha has rejected claims that he had imposed a timescale to be selected by England.

Zaha was capped by England in friendlies against Sweden and Scotland during Roy Hodgson’s tenure as manager, but because he had never played a competitive game for the Three Lions he was free to declare for the country of his birth, Ivory Coast.

Southgate met with Zaha at Palace's team hotel before the 3-3 draw at Hull in mid-December following his appointment as Sam Allardyce's permanent successor and he claims the 24-year-old had imposed a deadline for his selection.

“I didn’t really appreciate there was this disappearing egg timer on him going to the Ivory Coast. He was the first player I went to see when I got the job permanently but he’d already made his mind up," Southgate said in the wake of England's World Cup qualifying victory against Lithuania on Sunday.

“If you don’t feel that internal 100% passion for playing for England, then I’m not sure it’s for me to sell that to you.”

Zaha, however, has rejected Southgate's claims and is disappointed that details of the private meeting have been leaked. 

"In light of recent comments and reports questioning Wilfried’s desire or passion to play for England I feel it’s important to set the record straight,” a statement issued on behalf of Zaha read.

“Wilfried did not impose a timescale or set a date by which he had to be selected by England, there was no ‘disappearing egg timer’. The ‘private’ meeting with Mr Southgate was very amicable.

“However the fact remains that Wilfried made his decision to play for the Ivory Coast prior to Mr Southgate being appointed interim and subsequently permanent England manager. It was Wilfried’s personal choice and it was his right as a senior player to accept the opportunity to represent his nation of birth and that of his family heritage.

"His ‘desire’ or ‘passion’ should never have been publicly questioned for making that decision. Wilfried is very proud of his family and very proud to represent the Ivory Coast, most recently demonstrated by his performance against Russia.” 

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