Sports
Eberechi Eze relishing role in Crystal Palace
- Best performance since he came back- Vieira
British-born Nigerian midfielder Eberechi Eze is relishing his role as the focal point of Crystal Palace’s attack and complemented Saturday’s comeback victory against Aston Villa.
Eze, who is being courted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to play for the Super Eagles, was outstanding for Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park playing the number 10 position.
According to the 24-year-old after the comeback win, he feels better playing in central attacking midfield position.
“It’s good to be starting and playing and enjoying my football. I feel free and that’s what I want to continue,” Eze said.
He explained the intricacies involved in his role which actually worked for Crystal Palace.
“In midfield, I can get on the ball and be effective and it’s just a good team to play in. People want to give you the ball and play and today it worked for us,” he added.
Furthermore, Eze, who is still eligible to play in the Nigeria senior men’s national team despite playing for England U21 national team, added that the team worked assiduously to ensure they put in outstanding performances at Selhurst Park.
He continued: “We worked hard. We wanted to put in a good performance here at home and get the three points – which we did.
“We were looking to be creative in and around their box and see things but unfortunately [Jeffrey Schlupp’s ruled-out goal] didn’t come off.
“But regardless we had a good performance and it’s good we came away with three points today.
“It was a difficult start but we did what we could, put in good performances and today it paid off,” Eze added.
Meanwhile, Eagles boss Patrick Vieira was delighted with Eze’s outing against Aston Villa where Wilfred Zaha’s brace cancelled Ollie Watkins’ opener before Jean-Philippe Mateta sealed a 3-1 victory.
Vieira explained that the midfielder’s improvement is on a progression and acknowledged the team for putting up a good display today.
“Ebs is getting better and better,” he said.
“When the team play like that it allows him to show his quality. He loves the game, is a football player and loves to have the ball at his feet.
“Today it’s his best performance since he came back,” he added.
Earlier in his post-match interview after the Eagles’ performance recorded three points against Steven Gerrard’s side, Vieira said the team endured a difficult period to turn the result around.
“I’m really pleased, delighted. We had a really good performance today. We went through a difficult period but we remained calm, determined and competed well,” he said
“At times we played some really good football today so I’m really pleased with the quality and attitude we showed today.
“It was important to try to answer [Villa’s early goal] straight away. We scored that goal really early and were really up for it. I was pleased with that,” he added.
