Eberechi Eze is in contention for an England call-up after his stunning form for Crystal Palace
Eberechi Eze in the running for an England call-up with Gareth Southgate impressed with his stunning recent form for Crystal Palace… but the Three Lions face competition from Nigeria
- Eberechi Eze has been in sensational form for Crystal Palace in recent weeks
- The attacking midfielder has scored six times in his last seven league matches
- Eze is back on Gareth Southgate’s radar as he tries to refresh his England team
Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze is back on Gareth Southgate’s radar but will face competition from Nigeria to secure the striker’s international future.
Levi Colwill, Morgan Gibbs-White and Jacob Ramsey are also among the names identified for potential senior calls by the end of 2023.
24-year-old Eze has played a key role in Palace’s excellent run under Roy Hodgson, in which the club met the threat of relegation by scoring six goals in seven games.
His performances for the Eagles have not gone unnoticed by Southgate, who believe Eze has the qualities of a full England international.
The FA already has extensive scouting reports on the former Under-21 star and was poised to give Eze his first senior call-up in 2021, but a serious Achilles injury dashed his hopes of being selected.
Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze is back on England’s radar after his stellar form in recent weeks
Eze scored six goals in seven as Palace worked their way to safety under Roy Hodgson
Eze, recovered from the injury, was reportedly selected in Southgate’s preliminary 55-man squad for last year’s World Cup in Qatar, but failed to make the final.
And Southgate has been briefed on his recent form, though it remains to be seen whether next month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia arrive too early.
There is fierce competition in attacking areas, with Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and James Maddison all vying for places.
Nevertheless, Eze is earmarked for an international breakthrough, provided he continues to progress.
However, England’s interest in Eze is complicated by Nigeria, which also has plans to secure its future.
Southgate is an admirer of Eze, but England are facing competition from Nigeria, who want him to play for them too
Morgan Gibbs-White (left), Jacob Ramsey (right) and Levi Colwill are also on Southgate’s radar
The African country has tried several times to convince Eze to play for them, but the player has yet to make a final decision. Eze is eligible for Nigeria through his parents. Nigeria’s interest in Eze is ongoing, a prospect the English staff are aware of.
Southgate has continued to refresh his side with younger players during his reign and is keen to bring fresh blood into his squad ahead of next year’s European Championships in Germany.
Colwill, Gibbs-White and Ramsey are among the players who England’s talent identification staff believe could make the move to the senior team.
However, there is a feeling it would be more beneficial to select the trio in Lee Carsley’s England Under-21 side for this summer’s European Championships before they are considered for promotion next season.