Eberechi Eze's future has taken another twist as the England international starts for Crystal Palace against Chelsea despite reports claiming he would miss the game as he nears a Selhurst Park exit
13:01, 17 Aug 2025Updated 13:11, 17 Aug 2025
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace looks on during the 2025 FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 10, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Eberechi Eze starts for Crystal Palace(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Eberechi Eze starts for Crystal Palace against Chelsea despite reports he was set to be absent from the Premier League opener.
The England midfielder has been the subject of heavy transfer speculation this summer from Arsenal and Tottenham. A report on Saturday claimed that Eze wouldn't feature for the Eagles at Stamford Bridge with Spurs stepping up their interest.
However, Oliver Glasner has named his star man in the starting line-up, alongside captain Marc Guehi, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool. Ahead of the game, Glasner spoke confidently about Guehi and Eze in the build-up to the opening fixture.
He said: “Marc [Guehi] has trained the entire week with us, every single training session, the same with Ebs [Eze]. They’ve prepared the best way for the Chelsea game on Sunday afternoon.
“I’ve been in the football business for too long, so I know that at any time of any day, things can happen. If you ask me now, I expect both Marc and Ebs to start on Sunday.
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace (left) and Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner react after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace FC at Emirates Stadium on April 23, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Oliver Glasner remains confident about Eberechi Eze's inclusion(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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"I've been in football long enough that I know every day, almost every time of the day, that things can happen. But if you ask me now, yes I expect both starting for us on Sunday. (They have) the right mindset.
"No-one is forced to sign a contract, as soon as you sign a contract stick to it, because you did it voluntarily. Stick to it because this is what you expect from the other party that they stick to their contract.
"Everyone would be upset if the club says, 'We're not pleased with your performance, we'll cut your salary by 50 per cent'.
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"Nobody would say, 'OK, thank you I agree'. It is the opposite (with Guehi and Eze). You have rights and duties in a contract so stick to it. This just shows the character and mindset."
Despite Eze being set to start against the Blues, Spurs' pursuit is still ongoing as Thomas Frank looks to cover James Maddison's absence, with the midfielder out for potentially the entire season after suffering an ACL injury, but there is no agreement between the two clubs as of yet.
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Meanwhile, Palace continue to work on possible replacements with Leicester's Bilal El Khannouss and Club Brugge's Christos Tzolis both linked with a move to Selhurst Park in recent days.