December 7, 2019. A bitterly cold and dreary afternoon in Shepherd’s Bush, west London. About 12,000 spectators have braved the elements at Loftus Road, Queens Park Rangers’ home. Big coats, chunky scarves and woolly hats — but through the freeze emerges a blaze of talent.
His name is Eberechi Eze — the street footballer who refused to call it quits. Eze, as he often is, was majestic that day — scoring twice in a 2-0 win over Preston. He didn’t know it then, but it was the performance that changed his career.
Dougie Freedman, Crystal Palace’s sporting director, was there.