Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze – a transfer target for Manchester United – is capable of scoring as many goals as Cole Palmer, a former Chelsea star has claimed.
Palace extended their remarkable away record on Saturday with a fifth consecutive 2-0 win on the road, this time against Fulham.
An own goal from former Eagles defender Joachim Andersen and a stunning strike from Daniel Munoz secured the three points, but it was Eze who caught the eye.
Back in the starting XI following injury, the England midfielder came very close to scoring several times at Craven Cottage and nearly assisted Jean-Philippe Mateta with a sensational no-look, back heel pass – only for VAR to rule out the goal for a narrow offside.
‘Very impressive performances from so many Palace players but no one better than Eze,’ Premier League legend Alan Shearer said on Match of the Day.
‘Back in the team, everything he did was full of belief and confidence. Touch, technique and ability was just fantastic.
‘He could have had the assist of the season… about an inch offside. The back heel and the vision to pull that off.’
Eze’s performance will no doubt have also caught the eye of United and Tottenham who have been linked with the Three Lions star for the last year.
The 26-year-old has a £68million release clause in his contract which becomes active in the summer, though that may seem too steep for a player with just two league goals this season.
But Tony Cascarino reckons Eze is just as talented as England teammate Palmer and believes that if his finishing were to improve, he could match the Chelsea superstar’s incredible record in front of goal, which stands at 36 goals in 59 league games for the Blues.
‘Eze’s brilliant, unbelievable. If he could finish he would be up there with the biggest transfers in the country,’ the former Chelsea striker said on talkSPORT.
‘That’s the one thing people have said to me about his goal return and his finishing in front of goal. But this boy’s got so much talent, he’s so gifted. He plays the game at his pace as well.
‘Him and Cole Palmer have some similarities in the way they play the game and the way they glide past people. Palmer’s got the numbers and Eze could get numbers close to that because he’s a terrific footballer. It’s just effortless for him.’
United have also been tenuously linked with signing Palmer due to the 22-year-old growing up a Red Devils supporter, with the attacking midfielder previously naming Wayne Rooney as his footballing idol.
Ruben Amorim could certainly do with some firepower in his team with only four Premier League clubs scoring fewer goals than United this season.
Eze will have the chance to break his goal duct in the league when Palace host Aston Villa on Tuesday night.
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