EBERECHI EZE almost didn’t make it as a footballer.
By the time he was 20, the midfield maestro had become “used to the feeling”;; of being released.
The likes of , , and brushed him aside.
But now, at the age of 26, he is considered among the best English players in the .
His journey hasn’t been straightforward – but his setbacks have clearly made him stronger.
And he is now preparing for an final at Wembley Stadium.
The ‘not so nice part’ of Greenwich
Eze grew up in a ‘not so nice part’ of Greenwich in London and first established his love for the beautiful game in a football cage on his estate.
Speaking to The Independent in 2020, he explained: “It wasn’t the easiest life and you don’t have as much as other kids around you.
“The first place we’d go after school is to the cage. We’d stay there till our parents called us in, not eating, playing all day and night.
“There wasn’t really anything else to do. But that’s where the love comes from.
“You don’t realise it’s actually how you’re learning your trade.”;;
His talent would eventually set him apart from many of his peers, resulting in Eze being scouted by Arsenal while at secondary school.
Arsenal heartache
Eze’s time with the Gunners did not last long and he was released at just 13 years old.
The setback left him devastated – so much so that he was close to tears the next time he played against Arsenal during his spell at Fulham.
He recalled to The Independent: “I remember crying in my room for a solid week, my mum telling me that it’s going to be OK but not being able to get over it.
“Then I went to Fulham and I was finally starting to enjoy my football again.
“We played Arsenal a few months later but, when I went over to shake the academy manager’s hand, I started welling up. All the feelings came back.”;;
Following a series of unsuccessful spells at Fulham, Reading, Millwall, , and , Eze almost gave up on his dream of becoming a professional footballer and even prepared to take a part-time job at Tesco.
However, his sheer determination helped him to secure a place at .
QPR breakthrough
While studying at college, Eze enjoyed a successful trial with QPR and impressed the club’s technical director, Chris Ramsey.
He officially signed in August 2016 and made his first-team debut five months later in an FA Cup match against Blackburn Rovers.
That was his only senior appearance that campaign and he went on to join Wycombe Wanderers on loan the following season.
There, he made 22 appearances and scored five goals before returning and featuring regularly for the Hoops.
In 112 outings for QPR, Eze scored 20 goals and provided 12 assists.
Then, his Premier League dream came true.
Crystal Palace move & England debut
In August 2020, the midfielder completed a £17million move to .
He made his debut two weeks later against in the opening match of the Premier League season and scored his first goal – a free kick – a few months later.
Eze quickly established himself as a fan-favourite and became one of the club’s most-important players.
The 26-year-old has 38 Palace goals and 28 assists to his name from 164 appearances.
He was also handed his first cap in 2023 as a result of his impressive form.
And now he is valued at around £60m, with some of England’s biggest clubs interested in a transfer.
Arsenal, , and have all expressed an interest.
SunSport understands this summer in order to fund a squad overhaul.
Final countdown
With his future at the club up in the air, Eze will be eager to potentially end his time at Selhurst Park on a high by winning the FA Cup.
The England international scored once to help in the semi-final last month.
And he is set to start when the Eagles face Man City in the final at Wembley.
From the ‘not so nice part’ of Greenwich to Wembley, it’s been quite the journey for Eze so far...
And the best is likely yet to come.
