Sooner or later, Eberechi Eze will have a decision to make. The sort that reminds Roy Hodgson of his attempts to persuade Jack Grealish to pick England over the Republic of Ireland.
With every display of quality at the highest level, the issue of Eze’s international future becomes bigger.
Eze is eligible for England but also Nigeria, who have approached the 22-year-old and whose officials are in touch with the Crystal Palace starlet almost every week.
For now, and publicly, Eze has sidestepped the subject as smoothly as he evaded Leander Dendoncker before smashing in his third eye-catching Palace goal to beat Wolves.
Currently in England Under 21 set-up, that is his focus. But the clamor for Nigeria to call him up is growing, and it’s an issue former England boss Hodgson knows all about.
He said: ‘Like Jack Grealish before him, who I needed to try to persuade was good enough to play for England and give that a chance, I’d certainly say the same to Eberechi Eze at the moment.’
While Nigeria are prepared to fast-track players they covet to their senior team, there are fewer guarantees with England. Grealish made his decision in 2015 but did not make his full debut until last year.
Hodgson said: ‘Is Eze ready at the moment? I wouldn’t think so. There are so many players in his position and it would be bold of me to suggest he could go in front of them.
‘I hope he keeps his position (with the Under 21s), keeps improving, keeps in the eye-line of Gareth Southgate and the England coaches. I’m more than happy with his progress and the difference he makes to our team.’
