Roy Hodgson Says Eze Is Not Ready For England

The former Liverpool manager wants the highly-rated youngster to represent the Three Lions- although he is not ready to go straight into the squad

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson says Eberechi Eze is not ready to play for England at the moment but wants the Three Lions manager, Gareth Southgate, to hand him a call-up.

Eze is currently the subject of war between England and Nigeria. The 22-year-old currently represent the Three Lions at the U-21 level, but he is also eligible to play for the three-time African champions.

The former Wycombe star was born in London to Nigerian parents, which qualifies him to play for the Super Eagles.

Eze sealed a 20m pounds move to Crystal Palace from QPR last summer and has overcome a slow start to become one of the important players at Selhurst Park.

He scored his third Premier League goal of the season in the Eagles 1-0 win over Wolves last Saturday. And with the youngster in such an incredible form, Hodgson urged England to hand him a call-up.

The former Liverpool manager cited the case of Jack Grealish, who made his England debut when Hodgson was the manager.

“I would like to think that like Jack Grealish before him, whom I found myself in a situation of needing to speak to, to try to persuade him he was good enough to play for England and that he should perhaps give it a chance, I would certainly say the same to Eberechi Eze if I was in that sort of situation, Hodgson told Skysports. 

However, Hodgson insists Eze is not ready to be regular in the England national team, and he should continue his development with the U-21 squad.

“Is he ready at the moment? I wouldn’t think so. I think there are so many players in his position and of his type, it would be very bold of me to suggest he could go in front of them.

“He is a member of the under-21 side and I would like to think and hope he keeps his position there and that he keeps improving and keeps in the eye line of Gareth Southgate and the other England coaches while he is working there,” Hodgson added.