Sports

Crystal Palace star, Eze, not distracted about decision on England, Nigeria

Published

November 11, 2020

English-Nigerian footballer, Eberechi Eze has played down any distraction arising from choosing between the Three Lions of England and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder who joined Crystal Palace for 19.5million from QPR over the summer, however, stated that he is focused on playing for England, owing to his current duty with the country’s Under-21 team.

Eze who still qualifies to wear the famous ‘green and white’ Super Eagles having trained with the Super Eagles in the past admitted that he could still play for his parents’ country, giving Nigeria the greenlight to lure him in future, all thing being equal.

“I can [still play for Nigeria],” said Eze. “At the moment, I’m focused on my England Under-21 camp. I don’t want to put any type of pressure on myself and try to force anything now.

“I’m focused on the Under-21s, playing for the Under-21s, training, trying to play as many games as I can, and I think that’s the most important thing right now for my development.”

Should he choose the Three Lions over Nigeria, Eze will join the likes of Gabriel Agbolahan, Carlton Cole, Jordan Ibe and lately Tammy Abraham and Bukayo Saka on the list of England stars of Nigerian descent.

Saka was the latest loss to England after the 19-year-old Arsenal star was handed his maiden call-up by Southgate for England’s games against Wales, Belgium and Denmark around last month.

He said, “I always still watch Nigeria’s games where I can and I wish them all the best and support them all the way.

“But I’ve seen the process of how England are transforming and I think in the future they’re going to do great stuff. I feel like it was right for me to choose England,” according to Metro UK.