Observing Eberechi Eze in action brings back memories of how, long ago, the sport initially captured our attention. For a brief but blissful moment, the ideas of expected “X” and inverted “Y,” book balance, and technology interference fade.
The only thing on the brain’s agenda is the mesmerising rhythm of a football player’s elegant stride, with the ball faithfully following along as if it were a fifth limb.
It would be irresponsible to discount a player with the legendary X-Factor who decides to enter Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 team at the last minute. Undoubtedly, Eze’s performance at the Tottenham Stadium on Saturday certainly increased his prospects.
Due to Crystal Palace’s 22% possession rate against Spurs, he had fewer opportunity to drive at opponents. Eze, on the other hand, simply need a single opening.
Eze caught the ball on the halfway line just as the clock struck sixty. He no longer possesses lightning-fast reflexes. He moves smoothly. He can beguile people with his techniques, but he hardly ever uses them. Generally, it’s enough to drop a shoulder here and shimmy there.
Cristian Romero was obviously anxious. He took a step back, trying to guide Eze away from the target. Even so, Eze continued cutting inside, only to be cynically floored by Rodrigo Bentancur.
Standing over the free-kick at twenty-two yards out, just left of centre, was Eze. Like the old Jonny Wilkinson, he shuffled left before making yet another conversion that worked. He took a breath. His right foot encircled the ball. Guglielmo Vicario was thoroughly defeated.
No one has scored as many goals in the top division from outside the penalty area as Eze has since the start of the previous campaign. Eze has scored 16 goals and provided five assists in just under 44 Premier League appearances throughout that period.
With his form from the previous season, which included a late peak under the then-retiring Roy Hodgson, Eze made his belated debut for England against Malta. In September, he made his second and most recent appearance against Scotland.
Given that Eze has previously toyed with the idea of playing in the Euros, Southgate is obviously a fan. Recall that he was included in the 2021 Euro 2020 provisional squad (played in 2021 due to Covid) before rupturing his Achilles tendon. Cruelly, Eze didn’t know about his call until he got back to the dressing room after getting hurt.
But Eze is accustomed to overcoming obstacles. His journey to become a professional football player was not without incident; before he was sixteen, he was released by Reading, Fulham, and Arsenal. After a two-year scholarship at Millwall, he was let go. Bristol City, Swansea City, and Sunderland all had unsuccessful trials. At last, QPR made him an offer. He was given the No. 10 shirt of the team, which the late Stan Bowles had worn, by Steve McClaren. Under Mark Warburton, he thrived until 2020, when he signed a £16 million contract with Palace.
Is Eze able to join the summer team? Well, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka are certain choices, assuming they’re fit. Two, maybe three, spots remain for adaptable, imaginative forwards. Marcus Roberts? not running the greatest campaign possible. Raheem Sterling, a former favourite of Southgate? Not likely. Similarly, Anthony Gordon, who is currently being disregarded for whatever reason.
Even though he hasn’t played much for Manchester City, Jack Grealish will probably start. Maddison James? Maybe too much like Grealish. Eze offers something distinct from his colleagues, no doubt about it: if you give him a tight game, he can make all the difference.
Eze’s present campaign is staccato, which is counting against him. He has missed stretches due to hamstring ailments twice; the second time was after an ankle knock. It was his first action since the end of January on Saturday. With only one game left until England’s late-March friendlies against Brazil and Italy, time is not on his side. Eze’s chances of making those squads will significantly decrease if he does not; the early June kickabouts will be more about “fine-tuning” than a “chance to shine.”
If not now, then maybe the following World Cup for Eze. Even though he is only 25, he might need to leave Selhurst Park in order to advance. Social media went crazy over the fact that he was accompanied by three Tottenham players following Saturday’s loss. Oliver Skipp gave Eze a hug, and then Brandon Austin and Heung-min Son moved in, wrapping their arms around each other twice. Son whispered nice things into Eze’s ears and didn’t want to let go.
It might not mean much, even if it would be simple to imagine Eze prospering under Ange Postecoglou. Yes, the King would have to pay a ransom to free Eze from the Palace. He only inked a new deal in November, and the club would naturally want to make a sizable profit. His new deal is good until 2027. Eze, though, might as well be a king.
