From tears of rejection to FA Cup winner – Eze’s story of resilience and faith

By Arsenal, let go. Fulham and Reading both licensed. Bristol City and Sunderland trials that failed. Millwall’s response was, “Thanks, but no thanks.” before turning 18).

Eberechi Eze’s desire to play football professionally would have been simple.

After all, the youngster from a council estate in Greenwich, south-east London, had endured agony, resentment, and pain.

At the age of 13, I recall facing Arsenal and welling up because of all the emotions and not handling the feelings of being released, says Eze.

“I was unable to process it,” I said. I was about to face down tears.

Eze had another trial, this time with Sunderland, unsuccessful after being informed by Millwall that he would not be given a professional contract at the conclusion of a two-year scholarship in 2016.

His level of confidence was at its lowest.

Then, Queens Park Rangers gave him another chance, and the rest is history.

Eze scored the winning goal on Saturday to give Crystal Palace their first major trophy as they defeated Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

Eze’s story is one of resilience, determination, faith, and self-belief, from when she was a child playing football with jumpers for goalposts in a cage with friends.

Many young people who have spent time in academies across the nation are all too familiar with the journey, which is full of rejections and tribulations.

Eze recalls the knockbacks he received while attempting to enter the game, saying, “I remember the deflation.”

“But all I kept asking myself was, “When will the trial be next?” When will the upcoming trial take place?

Eze, who was previously based at Crystal Palace under Roy Hodgson, Patrick Vieira, and Oliver Glasner, is at his peak at the age of 26.

This Premier League season, he has eight goals and eight assists.

The number 10 has scored four of Palace’s 13 FA Cup goals, including a stunning finish outside the box that helped his side defeat Aston Villa 3-1 in the semi-final last month.

He is reaping the rewards of refusing to give up after all those early rejections.

Eze, who was raised in a Christian household and regularly attends church, says, “I feel like the journey I’ve been on has forced me to grow up, improve, and be better.”

“I am aware of so many people who quit playing at one club and then quit playing at Arsenal.” Because I could be anywhere and do anything, I can only say God thank you for my position.

However, “football never left,”

Before being released, Eze spent two and a half years at Fulham’s academy after joining Arsenal. Then, a familiar sinking feeling was caused by a trial in Reading.

He was invited up to Sunderland after being let go by Millwall in 2016.

Eze continues, “I was there for a week.”

I remember saying, “Please give me a pro contract, I know I can do it,” as I remember getting home and lying on bunk beds with my brothers.

Eze, age 19, was already appearing on QPR regularly by the end of 2018.

He claims that I met QPR employees who saw me and understood what I could do. There were too many clubs and too many rejections to mention.

He credits former QPR forward Les Ferdinand, coaching Andy Impey and Paul Hall, as well as technical director Chris Ramsey, for assisting him in developing and boosting his confidence at Loftus Road.

Because of them, Eze states, “I’m incredibly grateful for them because that was the point at which my career changed,” and as a result, “my belief changed.”

“They made my eyes open.” They taught me that nuts and bolts can’t be all there is. They saw potential in me and greatly improved me. It was all about “bringing it out”…

When Eze moved from London to Crystal Palace for a salary of £19.5 million in August 2020, he had 20 Championship goals to his name.

In four years, he had progressed from Millwall reject to Premier League.

Does Eze harbor any animosity toward the clubs that rejected him?

He says, “I don’t look back and say, ‘oh, they shouldn’t have released me.”

They chose that choice at the time, and it made sense for them. Of course, it appears they made a mistake now. But they probably had no choice at the time to make that choice.

To be honest, I don’t blame anyone, so that’s why. I believe that my journey has forced me to develop, improve, and be better.

Talk to those who have known Eze since he was a young child and have developed his skills in a tiny yellow cage in Greenwich, and you’ll see how far he’s come.

Dajon Golding, a former friend of Eze’s and current striker at Scottish League Two side Elgin City, recalls that “growing up in south-east London, playing football in cages was a social thing with our mates.”

Ebs has always said he will play at the highest level, even at a young age. Many of us concurred. We were naive despite having big dreams.

However, Ebs’ achievement is a testament to his success.

Chimaechi, Eze’s younger brother, claims to be an inspiration for Palace’s Under-21 team.

“I don’t know if I could have continued in that situation because of the setbacks he has experienced,” he continues.

He then illustrates how encouraging it is for the family to push through difficult times. He is a true inspiration. You can always alter the narrative, he demonstrates.

Eze has not forgotten where it all began, despite his elevation to the England squad and his goal against Latvia in March.

He continues, “I just got in touch with the two guys who [in the cage] taught me how to play football,” adding, “Arnolds and Gabriel.” They are the causes of my current football game.

“I owe a lot to them because they showed me all the skills.”

Former Fossdene Primary School in Charlton teacher Lisa Shaw, who knew Eze, saw how he had kept his family’s connection.

She relates how he invited students from his former school to watch the Palace train.

He dispatched a fleet of vehicles to pick them up. She claims it was very kind.

“He has a good reputation among the kids.” He has faced many setbacks throughout his career, but he was still resilient. He is such a good role model because of this.

Will Eze score another outstanding goal in Saturday’s showpiece final, just like he did in the semi-final?

Golding discusses Eze’s stunning win over Villa, adding, “I think he felt at peace when that went in.”

I can’t even begin to express how happy I am to call Ebs my friend. I’m very proud of his progress and the things he will achieve in the future.