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By Ebenezer Bajela.
Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze says he has ‘no regret’ choosing England over Nigeria at international level.
The Palace star, who was born in England to Nigerian parents, was recently called up to the England squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, thus ending Nigeria’s chances of snatching him from his country of birth.
Speaking on his decision to play for England, Eze said he made the right choice.
“I don’t know when I decided,” Eze said in an interview with londonnewsonline.
“I received a call and felt as though it was the right decision to make. I’m very, very happy to be here.
“Speaking to people around me, my family and my wife – getting good advice from the people around me – to think about what the best decision is for myself and for my career. We think this (playing for England) is the best one.
“It’s a big opportunity for me – it’s the highest level of football. I look at it with no regret at all.”
Eze could make his debut on Friday as England head to Malta for their Euro 2024 qualifying clash.
“Potentially,” Eze said, when asked if he was hoping to make his first England appearance this week.
“My main focus is training well, doing what I can do and being the best version of myself. That decision is for Gareth to make.
“It’s something I have been working towards for a long time. I’m grateful it’s happened now and I’m in a position to show myself and be in and amongst this level.”
Eze scored 10 goals and picked up four assists in 38 Premier League outings for the Eagles last season, producing attacking contributions on a regular basis after Roy Hodgson replaced Patrick Viera for the final 10 games of the season.
The 24-year-old, who trained with the Super Eagles before a cancelled friendly against Burkina Faso in March 2017, has been a target for the three-time African champions in recent years.
In 2019, former NFF president Amaju Pinnick intensified efforts to ensure the then Queen Park Rangers man switched his international allegiance to Nigeria by meeting with the player in London.
The dream, however, ended after the Greenwich-born midfielder was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England senior squad for the first time in his career.