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Speaking on BT Sport, Joe Cole has slammed Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha after his shocking performance against Chelsea on Saturday.

What did he say?

The Ivory Coast international did not appear to be at the races, and endured a difficult afternoon at the hands of Chelsea prodigy Reece James. As per Sofascore, Zaha won just nine of his 21 duels, lost possession 12 times and committed a further four fouls over the course of the 90 minutes.

And, speaking after the game, Cole tore into the 26-year-old's performance, and questioned just how he could harbour hopes of playing for a top side.

He said (as quoted by The Metro): "I’m disappointed with Zaha today. Reece James has got in his head. He’s let a young full-back dominate him. This Zaha five minutes ago was saying he wanted a move to the big clubs.

"He said he wanted to go and play for this club, that club. Reece James has come on his debut, got in his head and a player of his quality letting the ball under his feet. I think credit to Reece James but Wilf Zaha needs to show more if he wants to make that next step."

Taught a lesson

Make no mistake about it, Zaha's display would certainly have done his transfer hopes no favours. The Palace man reportedly submitted a transfer request in the summer, and had Arsenal chasing him for a large portion of it. But based on his miserable start to the current campaign, interest from some of the top-flights giants may have died down in rapid fashion.

The 26-year-old has yet to score a single goal this season, and against Chelsea on Saturday, appeared to let his frustrations get the better of him. As Cole suggests, James simply got under his skin, and when it came to a one-on-one contest between the two, it was invariably the Blues teenager who won. Zaha was taught a lesson, and it will be up to him to prove himself once more.