Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson refuses to step on Gareth Southgate’s toe when it comes to Eberechi Eze despite two goals in the afternoon from the hopeful England team.
The 24-year-old scored in the first half at Selhurst Park to give his side a 2-0 win over Bournemouth, which could still be mathematically safe in the Premier League this weekend depending on results elsewhere.
Eze is said to be one of the names on England manager Southgate’s long list ahead of the World Cup, but the former national team boss Hodgson has made it clear he will not be trying to influence anyone. any decision on the midfielder’s international future.
He said: “I’m afraid that’s a question for Gareth, Gareth and [assistant manager] Steve Holland. I know they watch the team, our team closely, they watch the players, so what I have seen they will see and it will be entirely up to them if they decide to see what they are doing. seeing is what they are seeing. search.
“Nobody would be happier for Ebs if he were picked, but I certainly wouldn’t be the one to start making those suggestions and telling the national team coach what he should do.
“I had four years of telling me what I should do, so I made a clear rule that if I go back to the football club, no one will hold a newspaper, Gareth Southgate, and listen. ‘What Roy Hodgson thinks’.
“Roy Hodgson thinks what he thinks, and if Gareth wants to know what I’m thinking he knows where to look for me, and we’re close enough friends that he can ask me.”
Eze, who has now scored 10 goals for Palace this season, has thrived since Hodgson’s arrival in March and has credited the 75-year-old manager for his improvement in form.
His first goal against the Cherries came from a superb combination of Wilfried Zaha, who dodged his guard and sent the ball in the direction of Jordan Ayew, who passed the ball back to his team-mate. his for a neat finish in the 39th minute .
Michael Olise then became the first player in Palace history to have 10 assists in a Premier League season as his long ball found Eze after starting again to set up a run. The frenzy ended with an unbelievable save for Neto in the top right corner.
O’Neil’s side have almost assured themselves top safety, but Saturday’s results mean they may not stand a chance of securing it on the pitch if the results come against Everton and Leicester, this time. turns on Sunday and Monday, in favor of them.
There is still a week to go before Bournemouth can lift their campaign to 40 points, but it is O’Neil who will seal the score 4-0 on his birthday this Thursday.
“I’m not going to celebrate,” he said. We will go to the end of the season and think about everything. I will have a clearer picture of what we have achieved, what we have and what we are lacking, what we need to improve, what we did well.
“In the summer, I will give myself a little while before we are ready for next season.
“Hopefully it’s done mathematically. We tried to take care of ourselves today, but I think having us all safe with the other four is a huge achievement for the team and they should be very proud of what they’ve accomplished. .
“But a nice little reminder for them today that if you take your foot off the gas and try to stay still, things can overtake you very, very quickly.”
