Ebere Eze: Crystal Palace boss gave me license to roam against Charlton Athletic

BY SAM SMITH

Eberechi Eze says he has been given license to roam by manager Roy Hodgson after impressing in Crystal Palace’s 3-0 victory over Charlton Athletic.

Eze linked well with forwards Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew from a left-midfield position, but often popped up more centrally. However, he was replaced by Jeffrey Schlupp at half-time with Hodgson citing a groin injury which will not keep the former Queens Park Rangers man out of England U21s duty next week.

In his maiden interview with the club on Friday, the 22-year-old said a reason for signing for the Eagles from the west Londoners was the position in which Palace wanted to play him.

Now, after his first appearance, Eze has talked more about what Hodgson wants him to do.

“It’s what the manager wants me to do. He wants me to link and go where I want to go, where I feel comfortable, that’s more inside but it gives me the license to be free,” Eze told Palace TV after a brace by Ayew and a solo effort by Zaha condemned the Addicks to defeat.

“It was good, I enjoyed it. Linking with the attacking players was fun. It was good for me to get my fitness up. I’ve obviously been training when I was still with QPR, so I’ve been doing a bit but games like this is what I need to top me up. It was a good performance.”

PICTURE BY PAUL EDWARDS