sport news Eberechi Eze opens up on England, early rejections and what he has done in ... trends now
As England gear up for a World Cup quarter-final with France this weekend, Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze will be one of many young England players hoping to work their way into the team by the time of the next major tournament.
The exciting Crystal Palace winger has been within a whisker of making the England team - included in Gareth Southgate's preliminary squad for the World Cup and last year's European championships - though is still yet to make his senior debut,
Arguably he would have received his first cap by now if it wasn't for an Achilles injury which kept him out for six months, and as expected from an injury as serious as that, it took some time for him to work his way back to full fitness following his comeback in November last year.
Eberechi Eze is one of many young England players who will hope to work their way into the England squad after the World Cup - after previously making preliminary squads
Eze has full focus on Crystal Palace even if he would like to play an international tournament
Despite someone who has been talked up by those around him as a future England player, Eze has said that it is a subject that he is not focusing on.
He said: 'If I'm honest, I'm not thinking about it. It's difficult to focus on anything else other than my own game and me playing football.
'Nothing really else, I just want to play my football and focus on being the best player that I can be, contribute to my team and that's where I'm at right now.'
Eze during the World Cup break has used his free time to give back in his role as an ambassador for McDonalds Fun Football sessions - which provide free coaching for youngsters
Eze though has kept his eye on the World Cup - a tournament that has been full of surprises so far - though the Three Lions have made it to the last-eight.
He said: 'They're doing what they can, they're trying their best. Every opponent is difficult as you can see by the draw we had with the United States.
'Just watching World Cups it's just more of a huge motivation for kids watching. That experience of representing your country at a major tournament is something everyone wants to go through.
'It's something I'm working towards. I want to perform and play at the big tournaments.'
Over the World Cup break, Eze used his free time to give back in his role as ambassador for McDonald's Fun Football sessions - which provide free coaching for five to 11-year-olds across the UK.
He has also returned to training with Palace, and was involved in their 0-0 draw with Brazilian side Botafogo on Saturday, as well as the 2-2 draw with Trabzonspor on Wednesday.
So far this season has scored Eze has scored two goals in 14 Premier League appearances for
