“Everything I’m there to win, I want to win, and I’ll do whatever I can to win the Premier League.”
These are the words of Beaming Everetyeze, who just enjoyed the greatest season of all time. The victory goal in the FA Cup final, down Manchester City and winning Crystal Palace, earned the first major honor in 163 years of history.
May 17, 2025 marked the opportunity he had already left in his mind throughout his childhood. So it’s important, but it wasn’t a shock.
“I have been playing with that level and dreaming of doing something like that since I was a young man, so I have seen it happen in my head for years.
“For me, it is a manifestation of something in my heart, something I have prayed for.
“I’m probably not as surprised as everyone else, but of course I’m grateful to God that I have the opportunity to be in that position.
“To be able to do that and bring a trophy to South London, that’s the biggest thing the club hasn’t had before – the trophy. So, to be part of the team that did it, I have very little word.”
In many respects, Eze’s path to Wembley’s victory is evidence that the pursuit of success is not linear. Eze’s journey began with a rejection at a young age, and Arsenal, Fulham and Millwall all let him go before he was 18.
But now at the palace, he pulls a string that has never been pulled for the club, writes a letter to folktales, standing on the shoulders of a giant who has not been able to achieve what he and his teammates have.
“We see players who played for this club, and the main players who were part of the foundation are just Premier League clubs and they maintain their status.
“I understand that we didn’t show up and win the trophy, and there was so much about this that happened beforehand and made this possible.
“It’s appreciation and gratitude that we are in this position, and we are not only appreciation for it, but also a deep appreciation for everything that has gone before us.
Eze spoke to Sky Sports at the annual Eze Foundation Invitational at Crystal Palace Training Ground.
The man who is believed to bring it all together from the top is Oliver Glasner, who believes that Eze can deliver more for the palace.
“He’s the top coach and the top guy. There’s certainly a big thing to come,” Eze said.
“He is fierce and sure he believes and knows what he wants from his team.
“I feel that is shown in the way we play towards the end of the season, the form we picked up, the process, that’s what he drove, that’s what he understood.
The Eze Foundation aims to provide development and upskill opportunities for young people in South London
England boss Thomas Tuschel was present to watch Eze’s Wembley heroic. In March, in his second match in charge of the national team, Eze scored his first England goal. The competition for locations will add excitement to Eze ahead of next year’s World Cup.
“Being on the England team is always an objective. You want to be a mainstay of the team, you want to get your position with the team. That’s what I try to do every day. Of course, there’s a lot of competition.
“Choosing a lot of different players for a manager isn’t always an easy task, but for me, what I can do is keep playing football, keep doing what I do, enjoying football, and not focusing any more.
“I only affect what I’m doing now, so I believe that if I’m doing what I’m doing, it’s going to take care of myself.
Eze scored England’s first goal this season in March
“i’m so excited [about England]I’m enjoying soccer now, I feel good. I missed a few injuries and a bit of a weird start to the season. So are the weird parts of the season.
“I believe in myself, so as long as I can, I believe there is always a chance.”
So, what’s next after your greatest season of all time? For eze – the same thing:
“I just want to have fun, express, entertain and bring love to the people in the stands when they look at me.
