Eberechi Eze injury: Crystal Palace midfielder faces months on sidelines with ‘serious, freak injury’

Twenty-two-year-old had been enjoying an impressive debut season in the Premier League

Lawrence Ostlere
Wednesday 19 May 2021 14:52 EDT
Comments
Eberechi Eze has been ruled out for many months
Eberechi Eze has been ruled out for many months (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze is facing a long layoff after suffering a “serious injury” in a “freak situation” in training.

The Palace manager Roy Hodgson revealed in his Tuesday press conference that Eze had picked up a knock earlier in the day, and a scan has revealed damage which could keep Eze on the sidelines until 2022.

The news is a major blow to the 22-year-old, who has been impressive in his first Premier League campaign with four goals and six assists in 34 top-flight appearances.

It will also be of serious concern to Crystal Palace, who will be now be more determined than ever to keep hold of Wilfried Zaha this summer, despite the winger’s publicly stated ambition to play Champions League football.

The news comes as the club seek a new manager after Hodgson confirmed he will step down at the end of the season and take a break from management. The former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is favourite to replace the 73-year-old Hodgson at Selhurst Park.

Of Eze’s injury, Hodgson told BT Sport on Wednesday: “It is devastating, particularly for him.

“He has had a good season and such a good start to his Premier League career, getting better and better and is such a good guy as well.

“He is an important member of the team and to see that happen in a freak situation, it is almost impossible to understand how it happened. Then for it to be such a serious injury, we are all absolutely devastated for him.

“He is a resilient young man and will come back strongly.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in