Episode 6 of Premier League youngsters on the radar: Eberechi Eze
By Varun Aithal
Eberechi was a live-wire against Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur in Gameweek 12. Can Eze help Crystal Palace finish higher in the league this season?
The Premier League this term has confused everyone like the entire 2020 has. Who’d have guessed that Arsenal would be fighting in the relegation battle while Crystal Palace and Leeds United are looking for an entry into the top half of the table?
Roy Hodgson has handled the Eagles in such a way that they are just three points off a European spot in these early stages. One of the major findings for Hodgson in a pandemic struck season is Eberechi Eze. The attacking midfielder has drawn the attention of Premier League giants with his exciting football in the ongoing edition.
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The English international started his football career with Arsenal’s youth academy but moved to several other clubs to get game time and experience. Rising through the ranks at Fulham, Millwall, and Queens Park Rangers, the player was sent on a short loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers.
With all the game time and experience that the player accumulated over these years, Eberechi Eze shined for Queens Park Rangers in the 2019/20 season. In his breakthrough season at senior level, the player featured in 48 games for the Championship side.
In 48 games under Warburton, the player raked up 22 G/A for his side. Despite the impressive performances, QPR couldn’t qualify for the play-offs. Mark Warburton was all praises for the player’s hard work and tremendous talent.
He said:
"There are no limits for Eze. It is down to him and how hard he works. Ebe is a tremendous talent. I want him to enjoy his football and he has got to understand how much hard work is required to maximise the talent that he has(Via: Goal)"
The successful season at West London secured a move to the Premier League. The Eagles signed the 22-year-old player for a fee of €17.8 million in the summer transfer window. Eze hasn’t disappointed the fans and his manager with each performance.
Though the player has shortcomings in his defensive work, Eze is a creative player in the middle of the park. Along with his dribbling and long-rangers, he is known for his set-piece abilities and drawing fouls from the opposition. The former Millwall player is proving to be a vital cog in Crystal Palace’s lineup week in and week out.
SCENES AT SELHURST PARK! 🦅
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 13, 2020
Eberechi Eze's delivery is too hot for Hugo Lloris to handle and Jeffrey Schlupp bundles in the rebound!
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Eberechi Eze stats this season: (Across all competitions)
Games played – 12
Minutes played –769
Goals scored -1
Passes to the final third-20
Pass Accuracy – 79.4%
Assists-2
Interceptions -6
Wins -5
Loses -6
Draws -1
The points table is tightly stacked in English Premier League. The difference between fourth-placed Southampton and 12th placed Crystal Palace is just six points.
Must Read. Make that back-to-back losses for Chelsea. light
Moreover, the reverse fixtures are yet to be played. Can Eberechi Eze inspire the Eagles to the European spot this season?