'We Want Our Players To Represent England' - Hodgson Wants Eze To Choose Three Lions Over Eagles

Published: October 24, 2020

Crystal Palace coach Roy Hodgson is hoping Eberechi Eze is selected by manager Gareth Southgate for next year's 2020 European Championship.

Eze's international future is up for debate as he is also eligible to represent three-time African champions Nigeria and trained with the Super Eagles in 2017 before he came into the reckoning for the Young Lions with his brilliant performances for past club Queens Park Rangers.

In these parts, the former Arsenal schoolboy has been heralded as the best player to replace Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel who called time on his international career after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

"We want our players to represent England and we want them to do well," Hodgson told South London Press when asked about Eze and Mitchell representing the Three Lions.

"Aidy’s bought both players up with you without me having rung him and told him that we’ve got two good U21s here that you should be looking at, which I wouldn’t want to do."

Eze sealed a move to Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window, signing a five-year deal until the end of the 2024-2025 season.

The 22-year-old has four appearances for England U21s, the last coming in an U21 EURO qualifier against Turkey on October 13.

Hodgson added : "We’re delighted to have him with us and I hoping that his U21 career will blossom.

"I for one will be hoping he continues to do well in Aidy’s team and get selected for next year’s European Championship."

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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