Gareth Southgate was full of praise for Eberechi Eze, saying that he offers England a certain ‘swagger’.
The Crystal Palace star was named in the starting line-up for the Euro 2024 warm-up clash with Bosnia-Herzegovina at St James’ Park in the hope of earning a place on the plane.
Eze certainly didn’t do his chances any harm after getting fans off their seats with a dynamic, exciting performance for Southgate’s side.
Playing just over an hour of the game, the 25-year-old showed exactly why he’s so highly rated as he drifted in from the left flank, holding off the defender and using his pace and power to drive into the Bosnia half, causing panic to the Bosnian defenders.
Having scored 11 times and provided six assists for Palace this term, Eze’s inclusion in Southgate’s 33-man squad was no surprise, with the England boss full of praise for his ability to seize his opportunity in Newcastle.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Southgate said: “People did what we expected them to do. The guys who came into the team played well.
“It was lovely to see Eze go in and play with that swagger that he has at Palace.
“He’s had a couple of camps with us now and it’s good to see him getting more and more integrated with the group and feeling more comfortable in the shirt.
“We saw that beautiful gliding run where he can take people out through the middle of the pitch with the power that he has.”
Discussing who could make the cut after the Bosnia clash, Stuart Pearce told talkSPORT: “I think that (Cole) Palmer has got more chance than most, but I would say Eze as well.
3
3
“He’s done extremely well for his club side and if the early stages of this game are anything to go by then he’s on the front foot and willing to go by people.
“If I was him or anyone close to him, I’d say that anytime he gets the ball he should turn and take someone on and then get after his pass because he’s got to impress.”
Commentator Jim Proudfoot added: “He plays with a smile on his face, but he plays with a swagger.
“He always has done, even in his loan spell at Wycombe early on in his career at QPR, then in the QPR first team and at Palace.
“He always wants the ball and is demanding to get the service.”
A number of fans are in no doubt that Eze has done enough to be part of things in Germany, with one saying: “Eberechi Eze, you ARE ready for England. Get on that plane.”
Another joked: “Let Eze fly the plane imho.”
This fan said: “Every time Eze gets the ball he’s direct and frightening, unbelievable player who MUST be on the plane for the Euros.”
While another added: “Eberechi Eze is such a talent and has to be on the plane for Euro 2024.
“Having watched him and spoken to him lots during his early days at QPR, it’d be great to see him offering something different for England this summer.”
Southgate’s final 26-man squad for Euro 2024 will be named on June 8, the day after England’s final warm-up match with Iceland on Friday.
