Exclusive: Former Palace team-mate Conor Gallagher backs Ebere Eze to add to England minutes

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

Former Crystal Palace loanee Conor Gallagher has heaped praise on Ebere Eze after the attacking midfielder made his full England debut last Friday against Malta.

Chelsea midfielder Gallagher played alongside Eze throughout the 2021-22 season in South London and was happy to see the 24-year-old come on as a 70th-minute substitute in England’s Euro 2024 qualifier.

Eze came on in the 70th minute for Leicester City’s James Maddison.

“Ebs deserves it 100 per cent – he’s a top player and top guy,” said Gallagher, speaking to the South London Press after he came off the bench in the Three Lions’s 7-0 win against North Macedonia on Monday at OId Trafford.

“Whenever people ask me about him, I always say that he’s one of the toughest players I’ve played against. He’s just so, so talented. So credit to him for getting his first minutes for England, and I’m sure there’s many to come.

“He’s very humble and hardworking. He certainly believes in his talent, which is really important. I’m sure his career is just going to go up and his England career as well.”

The Palace trio of Marc Guehi, Sam Johnstone and Eze were unused on Monday.

Guehi played the full 90 minutes in the 4-0 victory against Malta – just his third full senior international game and first in a European qualifier.

“I’m really pleased for Marc,” said Gallagher, who made his England bow while on loan with the Eagles in November 2021.

“We’re really close and I was really happy he started that game and obviously played really well like everyone expects him to do.

“Credit to him and it’s always a joy to be in the England squad with Marc.”