EZE DID IT THE HARD WAY

Palace star's Euro agony helped make him strong

- John Cross

EBERECHI EZE has used the worst day of his career to go full circle and reach Euro 2024.

Eze ruptured his Achilles tendon in training in May 2021.

He went back in to check his phone and found that he was named in England's provisional 33-man party for that summer's Euros.

Fast forward three years and the Crystal Palace midfielder believes the whole experience helped him toughen up.

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 it's part of the journey, part of the story, and I'm grateful to be here now. You're dealing with the emotion of what could have been. I was at the games watching with a cast on my foot.

"It was tough but I don't think I would have the mentality I have now without an experience like that.