Eberechi Eze wants to emulate Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho by pushing his 'limit' for Crystal Palace - exclusive
Published 14/01/2025 at 12:39 GMT
Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze continues to be the star man for his club in the Premier League as he pushes for regular inclusion in the England squad. Eze spoke to TNT Sports' Sign Up - Into Football and shared how Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho inspired him to become a professional player. See Eze and Palace in action against Leicester - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - on Wednesday.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Eberechi Eze has revealed he spent hours watching Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho online as they inspired him to pursue a successful career in the game.
After spending time in the youth teams at Arsenal, Reading and Fulham, Eze was given a scholarship at Millwall but was released before being offered professional terms.
Queens Park Rangers swooped to take him to Loftus Road, where he spent four eye-catching years, which prompted Crystal Palace to sign him in 2020.
Eze’s career has sky-rocketed at Selhurst Park, becoming the club’s talisman who has consistently provided their attacking threat in recent seasons.
His impressive form for Palace has also seen him break into the England squad, and he is hoping to add to his nine caps under new manager Thomas Tuchel.
Eze’s rise to the top of the game comes from years of hard work and by closely watching the players he was desperate to emulate.
Speaking to Sign Up - Into Football, which is available to watch on TNT Sports and discovery+ on February 7, Eze said: "Henry was number one. Henry and Ronaldinho. Those were the two on YouTube you were watching skills.
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Eberechi Eze named Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry as his biggest inspirations
Image credit: Getty Images
"These are the guys you grow up watching. They enjoy what they’re doing, they love what they’re doing, they have a passion for it and that inspires.
"I feel like those have been the guys that I’ve looked up to for as long as I remember."
As Eze tried to replicate the skills of Henry and Ronaldinho, his father encouraged him to keep practicing throughout his childhood.
"I started with my Dad taking me and my brothers to the park. I don’t know why, but he’d always teach us how to take penalties.
"I don’t know if he was some penalties guru in Nigeria when he grew up but that’s what he used to teach us," he said.
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Eberechi Eze is targeting more England caps under Thomas Tuchel
Image credit: Getty Images
Eze, 26, is undoubtedly one of the Premier League’s flair players with 28 goals and 18 assists on his record in the top flight.
However, as well as focussing on his own game, Eze also has a great appreciation for other players in the division.
"I love watching Phil Foden. Just the way he plays, the way he moves. You can see his talent level is insane," he said.
"He’s a player, for sure, that you look to. Even forgetting about football, just how he looks when he’s playing. The way he receives the ball, the way he passes. It’s definitely a gift that he’s got."
Palace have not had the best of seasons so far and are currently 15th in the Premier League, just five points above the relegation zone.
They go to Leicester City on Wednesday, with the game live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Oliver Glasner will celebrate a year in charge of Palace in February and Eze has been impressed with the impact the Austrian has made at the club.
"I think he brought new ideas and a new way of seeing football," he said.
"He increased our intensity so much. It’s a lot harder on the pitch, obviously, but it’s good, and it’s how you want to play football.
"When you speak to him one-on-one, you get drops of wisdom which are important, not just for football but for life as well," he said.
Speaking about his own goals for the rest of the season, Eze said: "I don’t know where the ceiling is, I don’t know where the limit is, but I want to take it as far as I can. I feel like that’s my obligation with the position I’m in."
How to watch Leicester v Crystal Palace
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Leicester v Crystal Palace will be live on TNT Sports 4 with coverage from 18:30 UK time on Tuesday, January 14, ahead of kick-off at 19:30.
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