Exclusive: Eberechi Eze says being 'rejected' earlier in career made him the player he has become at Crystal Palace

Eberechi Eze has said that dealing with adversity earlier in his career enabled him to blossom into one of the Premier League’s brightest talents.

The forward will get the chance to showcase his skills to TNT Sports viewers when Crystal Palace take on Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday.

He is a firm favourite of Eagles fans, caught the eye of England coach Gareth Southgate in the summer and has two international caps to his name.

Eze is comfortable in his surroundings at Selhurst Park, but his path to the Premier League was a tough school.

He was on the books of Arsenal only to be released as a schoolboy and a similar fate befell him at Fulham, Reading and Millwall.

Undeterred, Eze underwent a trial at Queens Park Rangers and was handed a contract in 2016.

He had four years learning his trade with The R’s before making the jump to Palace in 2020, and feels he benefited from those earlier rejections.

“I feel grateful to have experienced that because it has given me part of the character needed to handle this (success) with grace,” Eze told TNT Sports. “It is struggles like that that have helped me and allow me to operate in this realm without getting carried away and taking things for granted, and appreciating the small things.

“I understand what it is like to want something and to not get it, to be rejected, and I am trying to stay as simple as I can.”

Eze has bloomed under the guidance of Palace manager Roy Hodgson, and credits the veteran coach for helping shape his game.

“When I first came he talked about the No. 10s he had coached,” Eze said. “It was a journey and learning how he wants to play, his style of play, and I feel over time I have been able to express myself a bit more.

“I think he has noticed that, seen that, and he understands what I need to be at my best and he has helped me massively.”

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Arsenal v Crystal Palace will be live on TNT Sports 1 and ultimate with coverage from 11.00 on Saturday, January 20 ahead of kick-off at 12:30.

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