Tottenham Hotspur continue to push to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze following an injury to James Maddison.
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Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze held his hands to his heart as he was applauded by travelling fans at Stamford Bridge on Sunday following the 0-0 draw with Chelsea.
The England international was almost the difference maker in the match, having blasted a free-kick through the Blues defence and past Robert Sanchez in the first half. However, VAR chimed in to rule that goal out due to an interference from Eagles teammate Marc Guehi.
All eyes were on Eze on Sunday amid rampant rumours of an imminent switch to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. It had been speculated that the 27-year-old would not make the matchday squad against Chelsea due to transfer talk.
Eberechi Eze shares emotional moment with Crystal Palace fans
In the end, Eze did travel to Stamford Bridge and started the game for Crystal Palace too. The player had played the full 90 minutes in the FA Community Shield win over Liverpool last weekend.
Eze was taken off by Oliver Glasner in the 83rd minute and received rapturous applause from the away end. As he walked off, Eze turned around and stopped in his tracks to face the supporters with intention, applauding back.
As the full-time whistle blew, Eze took his time shaking hands with the Chelsea players, engaging in a long chat with England teammate Cole Palmer while his Crystal Palace colleagues thanked their fans.
Only when the vast majority of Crystal Palace players had left the pitch did Eze make his way over to the Crystal Palace faithful to share an emotional moment. The fans cheered and sang a rendition of ‘Eze’s on fire’ as the player looked on. In what some may say is a parting message, he then clasped his hands to his heart and walked off the pitch.
Spurs pushing for Eagles £55m transfer
The Crystal Palace star did have a £68 million release clause in his Crystal Palace contract but that has now expired. That does not rule out an exit with Spurs said to have agreed personal terms with the player and a new £55 million fee plus add-ons touted by The Guardian.
Arsenal had also been linked with the player but have since splurged on several marquee first team signings and are now likely to have to sell before they can buy again. Tottenham Hotspur’s only significant outlays have come in Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel with Thomas Frank needing a new midfielder following a serious injury to James Maddison.
Providing the latest on the Eze transfer saga before kick-off, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano wrote: “Eberechi Eze starts today and same expected to happen for Marc Guehi, clear plan by Oliver Glasner. Negotiations for Eze to Tottenham remain advanced but deal not sealed yet, so Glasner wants to trust Eberechi. Talks also continue for Guehi to Liverpool but also not done.”
In other news, Chelsea Player Ratings: 'Terrier' 8/10 but 'passenger' 5 against Crystal Palace.