Crystal Palace have announced the signing of midfielder Eberechi Eze from Queens Park Rangers for five years in a reported £19.5million.
One of the brightest young talents in England, despite plying his trade in the second-tier, had a host of clubs queueing for his signature. After a lengthy pursuit, however, Palace have got their man.
Ebere Eze #QPR
— Jack Supple (@JTSupple) August 25, 2020
Apps: 112
Goals: 20
Assists: 11
🔵Youngest player to score 20 league goals for QPR since Adel Taarabt
⚪️Youngest QPR player to reach 100 apps since Ian Dawes in 1984
🔵Youngest player to start every league game in a season for QPR since Ian Dawes in 83/84 pic.twitter.com/QpGBxGfbJK
Eze has steadily improved since his breakthrough and shone consistently for 13th-placed QPR last season when he registered 14 goals and eight assists from 48 appearances to win the Club’s Player of the Season award.
The right move at the right time
In the familiar surroundings of South London, Eze has all the tools to become a key player for the Eagles, with the move perfectly-timed to continue his development. Roy Hodgson’s famously meticulous coaching would help improve his all-round game.
He also chose the right philosophy, (unlike the large group of square pegs and round holes at West Ham) with a similar approach to the game as his former club, he won’t struggle with the weight of expectation or style of play.
Pertinently, as uncertainty over Wilfried Zaha’s future continues to rumble on, Eze CAN replace what the Ivorian brings to the table in terms of progressive dribbling and pure attacking play. He registered the most dribbles in the Championship (136) and averaged 2.2 shots per game playing in midfield or across the attacking midfield line.
His technique, elegance and hunger would see him adapt easily to the Premier League as he clearly became too good for the Championship, additionally, the confidence in his play will make him suitable for this next step.
Eze’s talent and upbringing at QPR will fit right into the current squad at Palace who scored 31 goals in 38 games last season (only five more than bottom side Norwich) and they stumbled to an eight-game winless streak of the nine games after Project Restart. Eze’s dynamism is much-needed to add to the firepower that Jordan Ayew often single-handedly produced last season.
The 22-year-old will finally define his international future with a move to the Premier League, as he has been actively courted by Nigeria, eligible through his parents, whilst getting called up to England’s latest U21 squad.
Playing for the Super Eagles will undoubtedly draw similarities – physically as much as aesthetically – with the legendary Jay-Jay Okocha, as well as provide an alternative to his nephew, Alex Iwobi in midfield.
It remains to be seen which country would back out of interest or indeed where his allegiances lie, having stated it would be an “honour” to play for either nation.
For now, we can let Eze do his talking on the pitch
