Eberechi Eze relives England heartbreak as Palace star back with Three Lions

Eberechi Eze previews England's clash with Malta

Eberechi Eze has praised the “insane wisdom” of Roy Hodgson for helping him get back into the England squad after the cruel and heartbreaking circumstances of his previous call-up. Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish is still deliberating over whether to continue with the 75-year-old former England boss after he transformed the club’s fortunes in the 10 games he was in charge after replacing Patrick Vieira.

But while taking care not to comment directly on the managerial situation at Selhurst Park, Eze’s endorsement of Hodgson’s guidance cannot be overlooked. Not least because the situation in which the 24-year-old found himself just over two years ago could have broken a lesser man.

“We were playing small-sided games in training and I received the ball, went to push off to start running and I just felt a pop,” he recalled. “It felt like someone had kicked me from behind or stepped on my ankle but I looked round and no one was there.

“So I knew it was serious. I had a little assessment from the doctor and said I had done my Achilles, and asked for my phone to tell my wife. That was when I saw I had the message to tell me I was in the provisional squad for England for the Euro 2020 finals.”

Hodgson had left the club and returned again in the time it has taken the attacking midfielder to warrant a second such message. Eze added: “It has been a long journey, a long road, I know I have improved all round as a person and as a player and I don’t know if I would be in this position but for that injury so I see it as part of my journey

“I am very grateful to Roy and his assistant Ray Lewington for all they did helping me to regain form. They helped me massively with performances and my mental state. He has been very, very helpful, advising me all the time.

“He has insane wisdom so it is good to hear what he has to say. You can see from what he did throughout all that time how effective he was, the influence he had on the players, the mindset the confidence the freedom, it was something we hadn’t experienced for a little while.

“You could see from the performances the confidence we had. Day to day seeing him around the place and how he takes to each individual player, it has helped me so much.” Eze’s faith, instilled in him from an early age by his Nigerian parents, has also played a big part in helping him get over a number of hurdles in his journey from his birthplace in the “not so nice part” of Greenwich, via the football cages of London, into professional football.

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Eze trains with England ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers

A youth career that saw him fail to establish himself at Arsenal, Fulham, Reading and Millwall left him at his lowest ebb. “It’s obviously difficult when you don’t have a contract. You’re on trial and not getting in, it was difficult at times.

“Getting released from Millwall – that was quite tough. That was the time when everyone was getting their pro contracts. I spoke to my mum yesterday and we shared the stories that happened when I was younger.

“It is good to look back and understand that I have still managed to be in this position. My mindset is to keep working hard. I look back with gratitude to God he has been with me through so many difficult moments and times.”

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From £59.95 View Deal

  • From the official England merchandise store and modelled on what the team wears for on the pitch for away games
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