Wilfried Zaha, Eberechi Eze or Michael Olise? Crystal Palace legend Joel Ward names club’s ‘unmatched’ star from Premier League era

No player did more to haul Palace to FA Cup glory than Eze, with the England international netting in the third round against Stockport, the quarter-final against Fulham, the semi-final clash against Aston Villa, and netting the only goal in the final to down Pep Guardiola’s side.

“Wilf’s natural ability in a 1v1 situation was something special,” said Ward, who left Palace as a free agent in June.

“Wilf was at the club for so long and what he achieved was something that will be unmatched. His 1v1 ability was just frightening.

“With Michael Olise, his end product was incredible. His understanding of the game and his intelligence set him apart. He was someone who would grab a game by the scruff of the neck and go and impact it.

“With Ebs (Eze), all I would say is finesse. Honestly, it’s a joy to watch him – how he moves and how he controls and manipulates the ball, it just looks effortless and it looks like he’s out there enjoying himself.

“They’re all incredibly gifted and set the world alight.”

But when pushed to pick a favourite, Ward opted for Zaha, who came through the academy to inspire Palace to promotion glory in 2013, made 458 appearances for the club and will forever go down as a club legend at Selhurst Park.

“For what Wilf did for the club, that will be unmatched,” Ward continued. “Just for the amount of time he played at the club and how he almost single-handedly kept Palace in the Premier League for a number of years. I think he is someone who stands as the benchmark.”

Ward lifted the FA Cup for Palace as club captain and the sole survivor of the side promoted from the Championship 12 years ago.

The 35-year-old joined the Eagles under Dougie Freedman for a mere £500,000 in 2012, and went on to make 364 appearances.

His time at Palace spanned 10 different permanent managers, a promotion, a spate of relegation battles, an FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United in 2016 and finally, in his last season with the club, a trophy.

Ward said: “Winning the play-off final and getting promoted into the Premier League was pure joy. I just remember sprinting around the pitch after the game not really knowing what to do.

“It was a little bit of the same on May 17 (FA Cup final). When that final whistle blew, the joy and the emotions just took over and the fans were incredible that day.

“To give them that moment was just incredible, and we’re so fortunate and blessed to be able to do that.”

Of course, much of Palace’s success should be credited to Glasner, who has transformed the club since taking over from Roy Hodgson in February 2024.

“He’s someone who sets the standard,” Ward said of the Austrian. “He leads by example and gives you a very clear picture to play from.

“He’s someone who is certainly bringing out the best in players and I think that’s what you want as a manager – you want to lead the teams to success but also to develop and bring the standards up around you as well. He’s taken this club from strength to strength.”

There has also been ongoing transfer speculation surrounding the likes of key Palace squad members Eze and Marc Guehi.

But Ward believes that despite the summer’s turbulence the Eagles can continue going from strength-to-strength.

He said: “When you’re winning, there’s a certain buzz and feeling of momentum. I can only speak from my experience but when you’ve got that momentum with you and that taste for success, you want to continue on that journey.

“It’s also addictive to win and succeed so everyone is going on that upward trajectory at the club which is important and that’s the belief which the players carry but it’s also something which the gaffer instils in us.”

Of course, Ward’s right-back berth and No. 2 shirt are in good hands, with Daniel Munoz a central cog in Glasner’s 5-2-3 system.

“(Munoz) has an incredible engine,” Ward continued. “But the way he sees the game along with his attitude, commitment and desire speaks volumes.

“This Palace group is incredibly talented and I think it’s one of the brightest squads we’ve had. When you put the names on paper, you look at Palace’s team and you go: ‘That’s some outfit!’

“From afar, I just wanted to wish them all the best and I look forward to following their journeys. They all have their aspirations and the goals that they want to achieve and it’s exciting to see what that’s going to entail.”