Eze’s Living the dream now that he is finally playing Premier League football. Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze has produced many exciting moments while keeping fans glued to their screens during his debut season in SE25.
Born to Nigerian Parents, Eze and his brothers grew up in Greenwich, London.
It wasn’t the easiest but we knew we wanted to enjoy life as much as we can and that we didn’t want to be in the position we were in. So it was important we worked hard and did everything we could to give ourselves the best chance we could. Me and my brothers played [football] at every opportunity we could with our friends and neighbors around the area. I think that’s the first proper look at football we all got; we wanted to play football to enjoy it. There was never any pressure, anything, just the idea of going out to play with our friends. The longer I held on to that, the easier it was for me to be at clubs and still try to have that mentality
Eze Eberechi
Signing from Queen’s Park Rangers for £19.5 million last summer. Eze announced himself after only three Premier League starts with a sensational 25-yard free-kick which bounced in off the crossbar against Leeds.
He also earned himself a November clubs player of the month (2020).
While it has been a mixed season for Palace, who comfortably sit 14th after 24 games [2020/21 Season]. Eze has certainly added another dimension to Palace’s attack. Eberechi’s electric pace, agility, and moments of individual brilliance have served him well during his first Premier League season.
This has also reduced the pressure on Crystal Palace’s talisman and academy graduate Wilfred Zaha. Manager Roy Hodgson often plays Zaha through the middle of the attack with Eze and Townsend as wingers.
Technical Analysis
Eze started life as a winger, especially at QPR where he was tasked with the left attacking side. After a few months, he was given the number ten role and flourished. In fact, he was s super dynamic, tricky, confident, and creative number 10.
Picking up deeper positions he would keep the team connected with his movements. Hodgson and Palace have utilized him from the left wide-area again, but his ability to float inside causes defenders issues and dominates the left half-spaces.
Through his game awareness, and vision he forces defenders into making quick decisions to pressure him. His technical expertise running at defenders often creates free kicks or scares defenders into not tackling, especially in and around the box.
he can suck defenders into his direction and with a quick flick beat the defender to create space. His dangerous shooting is as good at a distance as it is in the “Kill Zone”. Palace in fairness could do with him shooting more. I believe that will only happen if coach Roy Hodgson moves away from the rigid 4-4-2 system he currently utilizes.
His set-piece confidence showed on his brace against Leeds United. A modern method to wait for the keeper to move then strike the penalty is no stranger to Eze. His coolness and confidence oozes.
At Selhurst Park
Palace struggled for goals last season. Scoring 26 league goals in 38 matches, a record second-lowest to relegated side Norwich City. Within the first two months of this season that changed. BBC Sport reported that Palace averaged 1.5 goals per game (gpg), slightly higher than the 0.8 (gpg) during 2019-2020. {2}
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Despite returning to his native south London and playing a division higher for Palace. It hasn’t all been plain sailing for the England Under-21 international. Rejected by Arsenal at 13-years-old, it took spells at Fulham, Reading, and Palace’s arch-rivals Millwall for the winger to find his feet.
Looking back now, that’s the start of my journey and I’m grateful to God that’s how it went. If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t have got the resilience, bravery to go and be where I want to be elsewhere. It’s shaped me to be who I am today
Eze article with the Daily Mail {1}
Pathway from Millwall
Eberechi’s determination to channel setbacks into growth earned him a contract at Queens Park Rangers in August 2016. Four months after Millwall announced that the pacey winger would not be offered a professional contract.
At Queens Park Rangers, Eze shone as one of the Hoops’ key players in west London. During his last season at Championship club QPR, the ever-present Eze scored 14 goals. His goals, Assists, and performances helped his former side comfortably finish in 13th. place. Over his time with QPR, he had numerous one-of-a-kind performances and bagged 20 goals in 104 appearances.
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While that was enough to earn him a switch to south London, Palace weren’t Eze’s only admirers. The skillful winger has been capped at the England youth level. Also catching the eye of Nigeria’s International team who he is eligible to play through his parents.
“His parents, I believe, said he is just starting his career so we should let him establish himself, and then they would take it from there”.
Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Vice-President via ESPN {4}
2021 has started brightly for the Londoner, setting the screens alight with his solo goal against Sheffield United.
However, with the Qatar 2022 World Cup fast approaching, Eberechi Eze will have crucial decisions to make. But until then, the Palace man will be hoping to continue to deliver points for his club so the Eagles can continue to fly in the Premier League next season.
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