Eze inherits Townsend’s jersey number at Crystal Palace

Eberechi Eze is changing squad numbers at Crystal Palace with the £17 million midfielder trading in No.25 for Andros Townsend’s No.10 at Selhurst Park.

Townsend has been prized away by Everton, with the highly-rated 23-year-old of Nigerian descent, Eze trusted to follow in the footsteps of the departed England international.

Other players who have worn this iconic jersey number for the Eagles are Ian Wright and DR Congo international Yannick Bolasie.

Palace announced on their official website: “Seven Crystal Palace players have chosen new squad numbers for the 2021/22 season, with three Eagles making a switch from the last campaign.

“Vicente Guaita confirmed his change to No.13 earlier this summer, while Tyrick Mitchell and Eberechi Eze will become our new No.3 and No.10 respectively.

“Eze follows in the footsteps of players like Yannick Bolasie, returning to the number he wore with Queens Park Rangers.”

Meanwhile, France youth international of Nigeria descent Michael Olise will put on jersey number 7, with Cote d’Ivoire prospect Marc Guehi settling for number 6.

Having starred for QPR at Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, he was a transfer target for several clubs in Europe.

However, he settled for the Eagles on a five-year deal that would keep him in South London until 2025.

Eze quickly settled, making 34 appearances in the English elite division and bagged four goals with five assists.

Sadly, he suffered an Achilles injury during Crystal Palace’s training in May which will keep him out of action until 2022.

Former Palace manager Roy Hodgson lauded the Anglo-Nigerian’s influence on his team in the 2020-21 campaign.

“He’s had a good season, there’s no question of that. I think it’s nice that, not just on this occasion [against Sheffield United], but even on other occasions, he really has shown his skills to the utmost and everyone’s picked up on it. I’m really pleased about that,” Hodgson told the club website.

“I’m most pleased with the way he’s settled in, the way he’s become such a team player, the way he works very hard to absorb any tactical information and do the things that the team requires of him, apart from, of course, the mazy dribbles, the excellent ball control he’s been blessed with also.”