QPR attacker Eberechi Eze in action. (Getty Images)
According to BBC, Crystal Palace have signed QPR’s Eberechi Eze for a fee of £19.5m. The 22-year-old was one of QPR’s best performers last season.
He was the side’s leading goal-scorer and assist-provider in the Championship with 14 goals and eight assists to his name. Eze’s sensational form saw him feature in all of QPR’s 46 league games last term, thus proving his significance within the squad despite his young age.
A key player for QPR in the last two seasons, Eze had featured 112 times for the Championship side and has 20 goals and 13 assists to his name. With the youngster’s performances improving with time, Crystal Palace have now struck a deal with QPR for their star player.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace under manager Roy Hodgson have had a difficult campaign in the league last season as they slipped to a lowly 14th in the table. One of the major reasons for Eagles’ dip in form has been the lack of a consistent goal-scorer which saw them score a mere 31 goals in 38 Premier League outings.
Striker Jordan Ayew emerged the side’s top-scorer in the league with nine goals. However, that won’t serve them well next season. Thus, Palace’s decision to land the in-form Eze makes complete sense.
In addition, the Eagles lack creativity in midfield. Their sole established playmaker – Max Meyer has till now failed to nail down a spot within the first-team despite joining two years ago.
He made just 17 league appearances last term and does not have a single goal or assist to his name. Apart from Meyer, Palace just have academy graduate Brandon Pierrick as a back-up. However, he is just 18 and has very little experience.
Hence, Palace were in clear need of a playmaker. And Eze, who was in stellar form last season, should help address those problems. Apart from his creative abilities, Eze is also a versatile midfielder who can play on both flanks, making him a valuable addition.
It is evident that Crystal Palace lack a consistent goal-scorer in their attack and Eze’s arrival can resolve that issue. Moreover, he can also offer them creativity in midfield – something which they clearly lacked last season.
