FAR FROM EZE

Eberechi was called up for England before Euros in 2021 but then ruptured his Achilles. The Palace star has used that setback to fuel his drive to the top

- JOHN CROSS

EBERECHI EZE has used the worst day of his career to go full circle and reach the Euros.

Eze ruptured his Achilles tendon in training in May 2021 and when he went back inside to check his phone he found out he had been called up for Gareth Southgate's provisional 33-man squad for the last Euros.

Fast forward three years and the Crystal Palace midfielder believes the whole experience helped him get stronger and that is the reason he has made it again this time around.

Eze, 25, said: "It was my first time getting that message, but this is after my Achilles had ruptured on the training pitch.

"I'd gone inside, checked my phone and saw the message, so it was a tough day but, again, it's part of the journey, part of the story and I'm grateful to be here now.

"So from there, you're sort of dealing with the emotion of what could have been, all that type of stuff. I was there at the games watching with a cast on my foot.

"It was tough but, again, I don't think I would have the mentality that I have now without an experience like that. Those types of experiences make you stronger, they build your character and they give you more strength going forward."