Former Rangers striker Ally McCoist has claimed Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha would walk into the Chelsea starting XI if he leaves Crystal Palace for Chelsea.

The 29 year old winger has been heavily linked with a move away from Crystal Palace with his contract expiring at the end of the season.

Speaking on talkSPORT, McCoist said: “On current form he is walking into the Chelsea team.

“What I would tell him is, ‘Go and follow your heart Wilfried’ – because the one thing he has earned is the respect of all the Palace fans, the respect of football fans up and down the country. I think Wilfried Zaha has absolutely earned his stripes.

“He does not owe anybody anything and he owes himself the opportunity to go and make the right decision, whatever he wants to do,” McCoist added. “If that is to stay at Palace, me, I’d be the same as the Palace fans, I’d be absolutely delighted.

“I think in this day and age there is just something refreshing to see a guy play the vast majority of his career at one club and have an affinity with the support. There’s just something beautiful and refreshing about it. If that was the case I would be thrilled, and I bet [Patrick] Vieira and the Palace fans would be thrilled.

“However, if he decides, ‘I fancy a couple of years abroad’ – good on him. He has earned that opportunity.”