Eze received a call-up to represent England after scoring six goals in his final 10 outings to help Palace rally under interim manager Roy Hodgson
Crystal Palace forward, Eberechi Eze, has revealed he has no regret dumping the Super Eagles of Nigeria to honour the invite to play for England, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 24-year-old star was impressive for the Eagles in the English Premier League 2022-23 campaign, scoring 10 goals, and making 4 assists in 38 league appearances.
After earning and accepting a call-up to join Gareth Southgate's Three Lions, Eze, has revealed that the call was the best opportunity for him, and he has no regret taking it.
The former head of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, met with the striker in December 2019 and expressed optimism that he would play for the Super Eagles, even though the forward had previously represented England at the Under-20 and Under-21 levels.
But, Eze, speaking to the media, has revealed that receiving the call-up was his best decision and expressed his delight.
“We think that this is the best one. It is a big opportunity for me. It is the highest level of football. I look at it with no regret at all.
“It is the highest level of football. You want to test yourself against that, you want to be in that, and you can see from the quality of the team, where they are getting to, the confidence they are playing with, it is incredible. So, being part of that is big.
“I received the call, and I felt it was the right decision to make, and I am very, very happy to be here,” he said, as quoted by ESPN.
England is expected to face Malta in their UEFA Euro qualifiers on Friday, and Eze is expected to debut for the Three Lions in front of the home crowds at the Ta' Qali National Stadium in Malta.
Good luck, Eze. .Naija does not lack talents in abundance both at home and abroad. .We have much more skillful players than you.
The fact that he’s English and not Nigerian probably has more to do with the decision then anything. Maxwell, you’re correct that Nigeria doesnt lack talent, but to suggest you have much more skillfull players is laughable…but I get it… you’re disappointed not having been able to poach him (which would suggest your point is mute anyway, as he wouldnt be required). Hes a wonderful human, as a direct result of growing up in a Nigerian family…but he’s a Londoner first and foremost..so he’s made the only decision possible, to play at the highest level…because..he’s good enough.
The truth is , we need to do more to develop our football leagues in Nigeria and stop selecting players on basis of cronyism or connections or bribery otherwise we are not heading anywhere. Why do we have to rely heavily on foreign based players. We are forgetting to realise that a country invested on those players we are looking forThey provided the right facilities and the right opportunities for them to develop their talents. We need to do more to develop our football leagues. We have lost Busayo Saka, Eze to the English team simply because our administration is poor and we are not doing enough to develop Nigerian football. The truth is bitter and hard to take but it is heartbreaking because talents are laying waste. What a shame
They know but will still do nothing about it
Wish you luck bro, but I don’t think you made the right decision.
Eze our decision is best to you
But I will advice you to trade with curtion because England is full of star player.
Hi