Nigeria misses out as England calls up Eberechi Eze for Euro 2024

By Asuquo

Posted on May 21, 2024

England’s provisional squad announcement for the upcoming European Championships has dealt a significant blow to Nigerian football, as Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze has been named in Gareth Southgate’s list.

The news comes as a disappointment for Coach Finidi George-led Super Eagles, who had hoped to convince Eze to switch his international allegiance from England to Nigeria. Eze’s inclusion in the England squad for Euro 2024 dashes those hopes, leaving Nigeria without a chance to secure his services.

Throughout the season, Eze proved to be a standout performer for Crystal Palace, contributing 11 goals and four assists, playing a crucial role in the team’s tenth-place finish in the league. His impressive form had raised expectations among Nigerian fans, but his call-up to the England squad has put an end to any possibility of him representing Nigeria in the near future.

The disappointment is further compounded by the omission of other Nigerian-eligible players, such as Karim Adeyemi by Germany, Michael Olise by France, and Joshua Zirkzee by the Netherlands, leaving fans of the Super Eagles hoping for Eze’s inclusion in the England squad.

Gareth Southgate’s provisional squad of 33 also sees the absence of some big names like Marcus Rashford, Jordan Henderson, Ben Chilwell, Reece James, and Raheem Sterling. Surprise inclusions include Liverpool’s teenager Quansah, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, and Burnley’s goalkeeper James Trafford, among others.

Full England List:

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley).

Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).

Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).

While Southgate is expected to trim the squad to 26 before the commencement of the tournament on June 14, Eze’s inclusion has left Nigerian football fans disappointed, as they had hoped to see him don the green and white of the Super Eagles in the future.