Fulham and Crystal Palace target Eberechi Eze was rejected by Arsenal and Millwall and considered taking a job at Tesco
EBERECHI Eze is a wanted man, rated by many as the most exciting player in the Championship.
The QPR No10, who scored 14 times for the Hoops and provided eight assists last season, has been linked with a £20million move to Premier League sides Fulham and Crystal Palace.
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Eberechi Eze is one of the most exciting players outside the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But at one time it didn’t look like the 22-year-old fans’ favourite was going to make it in the game.
Released by Arsenal and Millwall, the attacking midfielder could have been forgiven that a life in professional football wasn’t for him.
And at his lowest, he considered taking a job working part-time at supermarket chain Tesco.
While it all began for Eze on a council estate in a rough part of Greenwich, where he developed his close control and quick feet playing cage football.
GUN WRONG
At QPR, Eze has had the opportunity to flourish, playing for a team that lets him showcase his skills.
But it wasn’t always that easy, and rejection was a big part of his early teens.
He began at boyhood club Arsenal – who he has expressed his dream to play for one day.
However, in 2011 the Gunners released Eze on the count of him being “too small”. It left the then 13-year-old distraught.
“It started at Arsenal. I was 13 [when I was released]. That was the worst one,” he told the Independent.
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£15m-rated Eze is being linked with a move to the Premier LeagueCredit: Rex Features
“I remember crying in my room for a solid week, my mum telling me that it’s going to be OK but not being able to get over it.”
TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
A stint at Fulham, followed by four months at Reading and Eze still couldn’t find any takers.
In 2014, he joined Millwall, but wasn’t suited to their brand of route one football that left little room for a creative playmaker.
Surprisingly, to Eze at least, he was called into the office of former manager Neil Harris, who told the youngster he wasn’t needed two years later.
“When I got released by Millwall, I understood the decision. I get why Neil made that call,” he told TalkSPORT.
“You could see in training and in matches that I wasn’t their typical type of player.
“I didn’t think I would get released at the time I did though – that came as a big shock to me.
“I thought I’d probably get another year there, even though it didn’t look like there was much chance of me getting near the first team.
“It took me by surprise, but ultimately it was a blessing in disguise.”
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Eze was released by Arsenal and Millwall and feared for his football careerCredit: Instagram ebere_10
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Eze considered a job at Tesco before signing a deal with QPR in 2016Credit: Instagram ebere_10
STACKING SHELVES
With a career in football looking unlikely, Eze had to think about a making a life in something else.
He enrolled at a college, and was on the verge of accepting a job part-time at a local Tesco.
“When I initially got released [by Millwall] I wasn’t too down, as there were plenty of clubs interested in me,” he said.
“But after being turned down by a few of them that’s when it really started hitting me. I was getting a bit worried – all I’ve ever wanted to do is to be a professional footballer.”
He told the Independent: “I honestly have no idea what I would have done.
“I didn’t like anything at school. Even P.E was a drag. When my agent told me I had a trial at QPR I just thought: ‘I have to get in’. There was no other option.”
His saving grace was QPR’s technical director Chris Ramsey, who not only invited him for a trial but saw his potential.
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In 2019 Eze showcased his skills for England’s U20 teamCredit: Rex Features
Eze signed a contract with the West London side in 2016, and has since become one of the most talked about players outside the Premier League.
CAGE FOOTBALL
Eze’s unique set of ball skills, able to dribble himself out of tight spots, was developed playing a brand of cage football – like ‘ballers’ Jadon Sancho and Reiss Nelson.
He grew up in the flats opposite Greenwich Hospital, where football was his escape.
“There are the nice parts [of Greenwich] and the not so nice parts,” he revealed.
“I grew up in a not so nice part. It wasn’t the easiest life and you don’t have as much as other kids around you.
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Eze was raised in Greenwich and honed his skills playing cage footballCredit: Instagram ebere_10
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Midfielder Eze has risen to the top despite setbacks in his careerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“The first place we’d go after school is to the cage. We’d stay there till our parents called us in, not eating, playing all day and night.
“There wasn’t really anything else to do. But that’s where the love comes from. [At the time], you don’t realise it’s actually how you’re learning your trade.”
A trade that could see Eze finally appearing in the Premier League, where many didn’t believe he belonged.
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