Paul Merson has named Eberechi Eze as the one-player Crystal Palace will struggle to perform without this week against Bournemouth.
Crystal Palace‘s Eberechi Eze is a player any team in the Premier League would love to have in their team and without him, Roy Hodgson‘s side could struggle.
Facing Bournemouth in a mid-week Premier League fixtures, Palace are unlikely to have their star man back in the team after the manager confirmed that Eze’s injury status is ‘up in the air‘.
Eze’s absence is one many clubs would struggle to deal with, and Palace are no different, with Hodgson reluctant to play his replacement.
Now, Paul Merson has made a huge claim regarding how important Eze is to Palace.
Paul Merson warns Palace of huge Eberechi Eze miss
Writing in his SportsKeeda predictions column, Paul Merson has given his verdict on Palace’s mid-week game against Bournemouth at Selhurst Park.
“When Eberechi Eze isn’t playing, Crystal Palace are a different team. I think this game will also end in a draw.”
Continuing he predicted the scoreline to be a 1-1 draw, which given the form Bournemouth are in right now, wouldn’t be a terrible result.
However, it is easy to wonder if three points would be likelier if Eze was available given how impactful he’s been.
Eberechi Eze stats
Eze has been immaculate for Hodgson’s side this season, making 10 appearances, in which he has been named in the Premier League team of the week twice.
He has scored twice and assisted once but more impressively has created 2.2 key passes per game. He has also completed 3.2 dribbles per game and won 7.1 duels per game.
He is vital for everything Palace have done well this campaign and without him, Palace are set for a tough game on Wednesday.
His injury was made more disappointing due to the fact he was beginning to consistently contribute to goals with two G/A in his last three.
Eze will be desperate to return in time for Palace’s tough December which sees consecutive games against Liverpool, Man City, Brighton and Chelsea.
