Former Liverpool midfield star Jamie Redknapp hailed Eberechi Eze’s performance in Thursday’s 0-0 draw between Arsenal and Crystal Palace, describing him as the ‘best player on the pitch’.
It comes in a week where the 22-year-old has received a lot of criticism after he broke Covid-19 protocol by sitting in the stands during Queens Park Rangers’ FA Cup clash with Fulham on Saturday.
Before Palace’s game with Arsenal, Eagles manager Roy Hodgson describe Eze as ‘naive’ and that his actions merited a fine.
But Hodgson would have been impressed by Eze’s performance, much like Redknapp who praised him on Sky Sports after the final whistle.
Also Read: Arteta: Fatigue Affected Arsenal Against Crystal Palace
At half-time, Redknapp said that Eze was the ‘best player on the pitch,’ with the scores between the sides goalless.
He added: “Eze has been so influential though I actually want to see more of him. (He’s) Very impressive he’s a star man. When he’s on the ball he’s so exciting to watch.”
Redknapp who also featured for Tottenham Hotspur, also praised the Palace youngster before kick-off but stated that he needs to add goals to his game.
He said: “He started at Arsenal, got released, it just goes to show you never give up in football as you never know where the future will take you.
“The only thing that I would ask for his ability he should be getting more (goals). He’s got so much quality, when the ball is at his feet it’s effortless for him and not many players have that.”
Eze joined Palace back in August from QPR for a fee of £17million and has impressed since making his move.
He has scored two goals in the league, the first being a free-kick in a 4-1 victory over Leeds, before he scored from a sensational solo-run during a 2-0 victory over Sheffield United earlier this month.
Crystal Palace were furious with QPR for allowing Eze to return and watch his old club play despite the strict current coronavirus restrictions.
Eze, who has accepted he made an ‘error of judgement’ by going, is facing punishment by Palace for his trip to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium which left him at the centre of the Covid-19 breach storm.
A statement from Palace on Monday insisted they would deal with the matter internally, with the incident occurring a week after captain Luka Milivojevic was fined for mixing with Aleksandar Mitrovic and his family on New Year’s Eve.
3 Comments
Star player Eze
He is better than Iwobi and co. Make una face me na but na true talk.
Definitely far better than them.