Arsenal target Eberechi Eze has left Germany stars red-faced after Jack Grealish transfer

Daily Mirror

a day ago

Certain Germany talents have been left red-faced after failing to recognise Eberechi Eze's quality, with the Arsenal target moving ahead of Jack Grealish in the England pecking order
Eberechi Eze has had the last laugh over his German doubters, who felt he couldn't pose the same threat as Jack Grealish. That's amid rumours the Crystal Palace talisman is currently wanted by Arsenal and Tottenham, while Grealish has just left Manchester City to join Everton on loan.
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Given their current career trajectories, there can be little doubt as to who is the hotter talent at present. This proves that certain figures within the Germany camp were wrong in their judgment of the two wingers last year.
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It all stems back to Euro 2024, where former England boss Gareth Southgate opted to include Eze in his squad over Grealish. Eze, 27, was still on the ascendancy at Selhurst Park at the time, while Grealish had started to slip down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola.
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Reports soon emerged regarding the reaction to those decisions within the Germany camp. And Die Mannschaft appeared largely at ease over the selection, given Grealish was rated as the superior asset.
Sources from within the squad suggested the Germans felt Grealish was someone who "provokes fear in opposition when he runs at them." They allegedly didn't feel as threatened by Palace star Eze, a lesser-known name at a much smaller club.
Fast forward to today, and Eze is a man in demand, with The Guardian reporting Tottenham have opened talks to sign the player. However, it's mentioned the player, who has a £68million release clause valid until Friday, would prefer a move to north London nemesis Arsenal.
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Eze, who finished last season with 14 goals and 11 assists, was already on the rise when Southgate rewarded him with a spot in the Euro 2024 squad. And although the 12-cap international played just 100 minutes en route to a runner-up finish in the tournament, his star has soared even higher since then.
The former Millwall and QPR star was a key component in the Palace side that won the FA Cup last season. He also helped spearhead the Eagles' charge to an upset win over Liverpool in Saturday's Community Shield clash at Wembley.
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Grealish, on the other hand, has accepted a step down after joining the Toffees on temporary terms. The winger made just 16 starts in all competitions under Guardiola last term and has signalled his intent to earn more regular minutes on Merseyside.
Grealish has earned 39 caps for his country to date, but it's been almost one year since he last turned out for England. The 29-year-old has been omitted from the last three international squads and is yet to make an appearance under Thomas Tuchel, who took over at the start of the year.
Eze, meanwhile, has been named in each of Tuchel's selections and scored in his maiden game under the new boss, a 3-0 win over Latvia. And he'll hope to retain his place in the squad ahead of next month's 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Andorra (Sept. 6) and Serbia (Sept. 9)
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