"That's how I like to play football" - Manchester United target Eberechi Eze names Barcelona icon as his childhood hero
Manchester United target Eberechi Eze has explained why Barcelona legend Ronaldinho was his favorite player growing up. The Crystal Palace winger is with England at Euro 2024 after a stellar 2023-24 campaign at Selhurst Park.
Eze, 25, starred for Oliver Glasner's Eagles with 11 goals and six assists in 31 games across competitions. He wowed fans with his trickery and composure on the ball, giving opposition defenders nightmares.
There was perhaps no attacker in European football more frightening with their skills than Ronaldinho. The Brazil hero was a menace with both feet and use of Selecao's Samba style of football.
Eze appears to base much of his game on the 2005 Ballon d'Or winner. He delved into his admiration for the Barcelona great in an interview with England's media team on X/Twitter:
"Ronaldinho (was my favorite player growing up). My guy, just how much he enjoyed playing football. That's how I like to play football (skillfully)."
Ronaldinho wreaked havoc in La Liga with Barca from 2003 to 2008, posting 94 goals and 71 assists in 207 games across competitions. He also gave English clubs, including Manchester United, a torrid time in the UEFA Champions League.
The 2002 FIFA World Cup winner faced the Red Devils twice, registering a goal and an assist. He was a thorn in Chelsea's side, managing three goals and one assist in six games against the Blues.
The two Premier League rivals could be battling it out for one of Ronaldinho's biggest fans. English journalist Simon Phillips (via CaughtOffside) reports that Chelsea are considering rivaling Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur for the £60 million-rated Palace forward.
Barcelona legend Cesc Fabregas urges Manchester United to build their team around Kobbie Mainoo
Eze headed to Germany alongside Kobbie Mainoo for England's participation at this summer's Euro 2024. The duo has found game time hard to come by during the tournament amid a frustrating campaign thus far for the Three Lions.
Mainoo, 19, was equally impressive as Eze last season and became a crucial part of Manchester United's team. He posted five goals and one assist in 32 games across competitions, including a winner in the FA Cup final.
Cesc Fabregas waxed lyrical about Mainoo last season and advised the Red Devils to put him at the forefront of their plans. The former Barcelona playmaker told BBC Sport:
''He's not only the future, he's the present already. He’s got a fantastic personality [it’s] like he’s been playing for a long time. To help him in the summer, they need to recruit players who can gain this quality on the pitch to make him more brilliant than what he is."
Eze could be an astute option to join Mainoo at Old Trafford this summer to add more creativity to Erik ten Hag's midfield. The Red Devils will be eager to keep hold of their academy graduate, and Barcelona have reportedly been keeping tabs.