‘I don’t understand’ – Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner left surprised by Eberechi Eze’s England omission

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner says he does not understand why Eberechi Eze was left out of Lee Carsley’s recent England squad.

The 26-year-old attacker was named by the interim Three Lions head coach in his first squad for Nation League games against Ireland and Finland, with Eze featuring in both games as a second-half substitute.

Greenwich-born Eze has started every game so far under Glasner this season but only has one Premier League goal to his name – scoring in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

Eze, who has nine senior caps to his name, was omitted from the squad which takes on Greece and Finland in the upcoming international break.

Glasner said: “First of all, I don’t understand why he’s not been announced in the England squad.

“He plays fantastic for us, but the difference is that he missed all of his chances. He could have five or six goals at the moment.

“There was a disallowed goal at Brentford – this was the start of the season and could have been his first.

“He hit the crossbar against West Ham – it was one inch that decided it.

“He had two big chances against Manchester United. He’s so close. 

“He plays really well and invests a lot. He has all the chances. I talk with him – he wants it. He [Eze] says: ‘I have the chances and so many situations, but I don’t have the number of goals I could have.’

“I told him that from the chance against Manchester United at the end of the game, from 100 shots, he scores 98. This was the 99th he missed. 

“It’s not that he has to train because he can do it. Stay relaxed and work for the team. These things will come again.

“That’s why I don’t understand why he was not announced for England.

“But he will get several days off, which he also needs. He had a very short break. He played all the games for us and had a 10-day pre-season.”

Picture; Keith Gillard