Crystal Palace have confirmed Eberechi Eze will start in their Premier League opener against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon despite informing the club of his desire to move to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Marc Guehi is also starting for the Eagles while transfer negotiations with Liverpool are currently ongoing.
Eze told the club of his decision earlier in the week, with Thomas Frank’s side expected to accelerate an agreement between the clubs, with personal terms already said to already be agreed.
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Despite having one foot out of the door at Selhurst Park, the midfielder starts at Stamford Bridge in what is sure to be his final game for the club.
Eberechi Eze has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park in recent days, with Tottenham Hotspur looking to be the likely destination
|REUTERS
Eze is said to be happy to play for the club despite the ongoing transfer negotiations.
Speaking on Sky Sports, former Manchester City defender Micah Richards said Eze is a “top player” and he can “understand why top clubs want him”.
Daniel Sturridge, who made 218 Premier League appearances, said: “They’ll [Eze and Guehi] be excited to play, they’re players for Crystal Palace, so they’re focused on the task in hand.
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Marc Guehi also starts for Crystal Palace despite Liverpool negotiating a fee with the Eagles
| PA“I know Guehi’s situation is slightly different to Eze’s in terms of the contract, but I know they’ll want to go out there and get the job done.”
Fans have drawn comparisons to Newcastle forward Alexander Isak, who has been at the centre of a long transfer saga this summer that is yet to conclude.
The Swedish striker is refusing to train or play for the club in an effort to force a move to Liverpool.
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And fans have taken to social media to express their frustrations with the striker.
One supporter wrote: “Well done to Eberechi Eze for playing at Crystal Palace today despite telling the club he wants to leave this summer.
“A player who recognises he wouldn’t be where he is now without the support of his team mates and manager.
“Alexander Isak take notes.”
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Alexander Isak has gone to drastic measures to force a move
| GettyAnother said: “Eze superb, maybe that’s an English mentality, I hate what Isak is doing to us.”
Whether Isak is to stay on Tyneside or not is unseen, with Arne Slot’s side refusing to return to the table with an improved offer before Newcastle have found a replacement - something they have faltered on so far.
Palece’s summer has also been difficult. It has generally been dominated by the dispute against with UEFA over their Europa League qualification following their FA Cup triumph over Manchester City.
The club were demoted to the Conference League after being adjudged to have broken multi-club ownership rules.
Now, the tail-end of their summer will be dominated by the potential departure of star players Eze and Guehi.
But Oliver Glasner’s side begin their Premier League campaign at Stamford Bridge with largely the same team as they won the FA Cup with, as both Eze and Guehi are happy to continue to play.
Yoanne Wissa is absent from the Brentford squad amid his transfer speculation to Newcastle, with the Bees also seeing star man Bryan Mbuemo and boss Frank being poached.
They set up against Nottingham Forest, who narrowly avoided losing talisman Morgan Gibbs-White to Spurs, in the day’s other 2pm kick-off. Arsenal travel to Manchester United to conclude the day’s programming.