Call me Eze. Though that might sound like the first sentence of an epic novel (answers on a post card), it was in this case a politeness, sparing us from the difficulty of pronouncing his given name, Eberechi, correctly.
If any player epitomises Gareth’s Southgate’s England it is the elegant Crystal Palace playmaker; modest, respectful and giving. Indeed the idea that you have to be aggressive to prevail in elite sport is torched by Eze’s oh so gentle demeanour.
There is clearly more than one way to express character and heart. Eze’s profound attachment to his faith is the key to his understanding of the world, and helped him overcome the sequence of rejections he suffered in his youth – and the ruptured Achilles that kept him out of Southgate’s last Euros squad.
Watching Eze make Premier League defenders disappear, it is obvious why he is in Germany and begs the question what were the coaches at Arsenal, Fulham, Reading and Millwall seeing, or not for that matter, when they sent him on his way as a teenager? He agreed that the optics are not good for the academies that let him slip through their nets.
“I got ‘not really working hard enough’ or ‘not really suiting the style of play of a club’. Again, you look at them as reasons and I’ll be honest, I don’t fully understand the reasons why. It wasn’t really explained clearly, like, ok, this makes sense, I get this.
“It didn’t really feel like that at the time. It was just ‘You’re getting released’ and that was it. But I don’t look back and think, ‘I didn’t deserve that’ or ‘I shouldn’t have experienced this.’ I just see it as they tried to make a decision. They are making calls all the time. They are going to get some wrong.”
That very generous view of those who cast him aside typifies his approach. Refusing to dwell on the negative appraisals of others, or on misfortune when it strikes simply powers him towards sunnier days. Most would have been crushed to rupture an Achilles the day before a text confirming his England squad selection. Instead of raging at the moon three years ago, Eze threw himself into recovery.
“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. So, from then you’re sort of dealing with the emotion of, like, what could have been, all that type of stuff.
“It was tough but I think those types of experiences make you stronger, they build your character and they give you more strength.
“I think that’s the story of all footballers. Anyone that’s a professional footballer playing at the highest level, you have to be resilient, you have to be strong and able to come back from setbacks. You fail more than you succeed in this sport, so that’s not just me, it’ll be everyone.
“I say I’m grateful that all those things did happen, because I feel like that’s given me the strength, the character, the mindset to focus on what it is that I believe in and stay focused on that. Not to think too much about other people’s opinions. I feel like as long as you apply yourself in the craft that you’ve got, anything’s possible.”
Eze radiates the kind of positivity that puts a smile on the faces of all in his company. He sees football not only as something to be enjoyed but as his way to contribute in this world.
The Eze Foundation launched in February this year is dedicated to giving back to the community from which he emerged, emphasising inclusivity and empowerment. A mural painted on the Kirby Estate where he grew up in south London reflects the affection in which Eze is held.
“I’m grateful to be in the position I’m in, terribly blessed. I look at all the people coming from similar areas to me, similar difficulties and struggles. Me and my family are trying to do whatever we can to give them an opportunity, help them see things they wouldn’t see otherwise. If you’re in the position and you’ve got the opportunity to do it, that’s the best you can do.”
Sounds like an English hero to me.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/yE9Jaq3
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