His Crystal Palace teammates were said to be in tears after an abrupt training ground injury – rupturing his Achilles – left him sidelined for several months on the same day he was part of England’s Euro 2020 provisional squad. Two years on, he could make his senior debut this weekend, and it’s another timely reminder how important patience is as far as long-term goals are concerned.
Eze thankful to Hodgson, setbacks helped shape who he is
- “He [Hodgson] has got insane wisdom, it’s good to talk to him and hear what he has to say. They have been improving me as a person and player from the first day I met them, it opened my eyes to more, helped me massively with performances and mental state,” Eze on Roy Hodgson and his assistant Ray Lewington, who returned to south London in March
- Eze appeared in all 38 of Palace’s Premier League games this past season (2,644 minutes) – scoring 10 goals and creating four assists, including seven goal contributions in their last nine games as they avoided the dreaded relegation battle with 18 points gained during that stint
- Highly-rated playmaker gets maiden senior call-up after 15 youth level appearances. He’s expected to feature in some capacity against Malta and/or North Macedonia with Euro 2024 qualifiers (June 16, June 19)
At a time where England are still searching for their bonafide lock picker in midfield – sorry, Phil Foden – a number of candidates have come and gone in recent seasons.
Jordan Henderson turns 33 on Saturday and the Liverpool man hasn’t got the engine he once did, while Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips are more defensive-minded.
Jack Grealish’s success has come out wide, Conor Gallagher and James Maddison remain wildcards for different reasons and Jude Bellingham thrives in a free roam role.
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With all of that in mind, and several other playmaking contenders snubbed from this latest 25-man selection by Gareth Southgate, this quote speaks volumes for how important mindset is to succeed at the very top.
“I know without setbacks and difficult moments it’s hard to grow and be the person I am today – I look back at those memories fondly because I know it has helped shape who I am.
I saw it [potentially making the Euro squad] as I was on the right trajectory, even though I was injured, this was the level I could get to. It gave me the motivation to keep going. It’s been a journey getting back to the standard, putting in the performances, but a good one.”
Eberechi Eze could’ve very well spent months feeling sorry for himself after sustaining such a serious injury, the ridiculous timing of it all. Just putting the finishing touches to a memorable debut top-flight season, and boom.
Instead, he worked hard to improve during an arduous rehabilitation process and is now reaping those rewards as another creative option Southgate can utilise – key word can, rather than will – with deceptively important internationals to come.
After wins against Italy and Ukraine three months ago, England are top of Group C after two qualifers. Between now and Christmas, their schedule looks as follows:
Malta, North Macedonia – June 16, 19
Ukraine – Sept. 9
Friendly: Scotland – Sept. 12
Italy – Oct. 17
Malta, North Macedonia – 17, 20th November
At a time where Crystal Palace are bracing themselves for the departure of talismanic winger Wilfried Zaha to pastures new this summer, Eze and France U21 international Michael Olise have given them renewed cause for future optimism in the final third.
Much has been said about Hammersmith-born Olise and how it’s increasingly likely he’ll retain his allegiance to France long-term, but he isn’t the first duel-national player they’ve let slip through the tracks – Jamal Musiala among others.
Simply put, they cannot afford to miss a trick with Eze now. 25 in a fortnight’s time, he’s found some form at the right time and importantly rebuilt his confidence, an essential part of being the expressive player he has often shown in brilliant flashes.
England’s squad in full
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace).
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), John Stones and Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham).
Forwards: Phil Foden and Jack Grealish (Manchester City, Harry Kane (Tottenham), James Maddison (Leicester City), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Callum Wilson (Newcastle).
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes via BBC Sport
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