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REBELS

Wilfred Zaha and Antoine Griezmann prove that loyalty is dead in football

Both players have turned their backs on the clubs they seemed so happy with last summer

The world of football can be a fickle old place.

Last summer, both Wilfred Zaha and Antoine Greizmann passionately signed new deals with Crystal Palace Atletico Madrid respectively.

Now it appears both players are wanting out of the clubs they appeared so happy with.

But what has happened over the past ten months that has driven them towards the door?


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Best player outside the Big Six

Reuters
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Best player outside the Big Six

Starting with Zaha…

The Ivorian signed a five year deal worth £130,000 a week with no release clause back in August.

A deal with all the hallmarks of a player committing his future to the club.

Or so you would think.

He looks thrilled to be there

PA:Press Association
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He looks thrilled to be there

Crystal Palace chairman, Steve Parish even claimed, “This agreement is yet another example of his lifelong commitment to the club”

Strong words from the chairman but music to the ears of the Selhurst Park faithful who adore their Ivorian forward.

Has he played his last game for The Eagles?

Reuters
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Has he played his last game for The Eagles?

Crystal Palace must have had a terrible season for those promises to mean nothing, surely?

In fact, The Eagles recorded their highest ever 38-game Premier League points tally and ended the season winning five out of their last eight.

So what reasoning does the man himself have?

He is apparently chasing Champions League football.

Ready for the Champions League?

PA:Press Association
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Ready for the Champions League?

A fair enough request from the 26-year-old who is in his prime and talented enough to swim with the sharks.

But why go to all the trouble of announcing your long-term future to then turn your back?

The only logical explanation is that Zaha backed Palace to make top four last season.

That or his word doesn’t mean all that much…

Now for the well-documented case of Antoine Griezmann.

Cheerio

AFP or licensors
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Cheerio

This time last year, Griezmann released a video on twitter declaring his love for the club and the city.

The forward’s message was clear, “My fans, my team, my home.”

Hardly modest, but what do we expect from a man who named his Netflix documentary ‘Making a Legend.’

P.O.W

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P.O.W

A year on and Griezmann is back on social media and in front of the cameras.

Looking like a recently released prisoner of war, the Frenchman announced he would leave ‘his home.’

With over 130 goals for Los Rojiblacos, he will be sorely missed.

Especially considering Diego Costa is on his way out and Alvaro Morata is playing like, well, Alvaro Morata.

Leaving them in the not-so capable hands of Morata

Reuters
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Leaving them in the not-so capable hands of Morata

Atletico finished 11 points behind Barcelona, who appear to be the preferred choice for Griezmann.

He has been unlucky not to win more with the Atletico, notably the Champions League final in 2016.

But a second place finish and a Champions League Round of 16 knockout this season was enough for Griezmann to backtrack on his promise from last season.

How does Barcelona sound, Antoine?

Getty - Contributor
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How does Barcelona sound, Antoine?

So Zaha is looking for a way into the Champions League and Griezmann is looking to win it.

Both viable reasons to leave the clubs where they are loved so dearly.

But it’s the parade around the contract extensions that will leave Palace and Atletico fans so frustrated.

They were announced like the coronations of new monarchs last summer.

The saviours of their clubs, here to stay and to play out their best years…

Or so it seemed.


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