Eberechi Eze is tipped to start Crystal Palace’s opening Premier League clash with Chelsea on Sunday as Tottenham Hotspur continue to circle the London attacker amid ongoing transfer interest. While Oliver Glasner praised Eze’s professionalism ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge, he stopped short of offering any assurances that the 25-year-old will still be with Palace once the transfer window closes on September 1.
Palace are actively weighing options to bolster their attack and have already approached Leicester City about Bilal El Khannouss, in addition to exploring other potential moves. The only new faces to Glasner’s squad this summer have been goalkeeper Walter Benitez and full-back Borna Sosa, underscoring Palace’s view that further reinforcements could be required if a move for Eze materialises.
Across London, Spurs have been busy as well. They have already completed the permanent signing of Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich for around €35 million plus up to €10 million in add-ons. Brentford’s Thomas Frank—who began their season with a 3-0 win over Burnley—have also reportedly secured Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United in what would be a notable coup for the club. The narrative around Spurs has been intensified by the absence of former captain Heung-min Son, who left for Los Angeles FC in August after asking to move on, and the knee injury that keeps James Maddison out for a large portion of the campaign.
In addition to pursuing Eze, Spurs have also shown interest in Savinho, a winger they are pursuing separately from the Eze deal. Eze moved to Selhurst Park in the summer of 2020 for around £17 million from Queens Park Rangers and since then has become an England international who has made 167 appearances and scored 40 goals for Crystal Palace, where he has operated as a No 10 or from the left across attacking areas.
Analysis from Mark Carey, senior data writer, suggests that even without Maddison’s ACL injury, a move for Eze makes sense for Spurs. Carey notes that Eze’s creativity and form—combined with his ability to operate as a central playmaker or on the left—could give Spurs the “stardust” they have been seeking to unlock packed defences. His dribbling and ability to beat presses with a shoulder drop or a drive, paired with incisive passing, would make him a dual threat in the final third and help Spurs create chances for a centre-forward.
Carey argues that Spurs would benefit from a player who can thread forward passes into gaps and exploit space, transforming a game that has often been stifled by structured blocks. If Spurs secure Eze, the analysis suggests he would be a natural fit in a formation like 4-2-3-1, slotting into the No 10 role while also offering width if needed.
Jay Harris, Spurs correspondent, frames the potential deal as highly attractive for the club and its supporters. He points to the Miller-time window in which Spurs have sought a creative midfielder and argues that Eze’s prime-court backing and dribbling ability could help them ramp up attacking productivity. Harris also notes that Arsenal had shown interest in Eze in the past, which would add a layer of narrative if the deal were to go through and Eze chose Spurs over a North London rival.
The broader transfer context remains hazy as the window progresses, with Palace navigating the pressure of losing a creative engine and Spurs weighing immediate quality against long-term potential. Eze’s current standing at Palace and his willingness to remain beyond the deadline will influence the next moves for both clubs, as will Leicester’s willingness to part with El Khannouss and any other replacements Palace identify.
What this could mean for Tottenham if the move goes through is significant. Eze’s blend of vision, pace, and creative risk-taking could unlock spaces for Solanke or Kudus in the forward line, creating a dangerous front four with Tel and rising talents like Wilson Odobert. For Palace, keeping a player of Eze’s creative caliber would be a major win, but the lure of a fresh challenge and a potential financial boost could complicate the club’s plans.
Summary: Eze is at the center of a crowded transfer picture involving Crystal Palace and Tottenham, with Palace weighing replacements and Spurs pursuing immediate creative impact. The outcome will hinge on the September 1 deadline, Eze’s own wishes, and the willingness of Leicester and others to move on potential targets.
Additional value notes:
– If you’re covering this story, consider adding a sidebar with a quick explainer on the transfer deadline timing and which clubs are most active.
– Include a brief comparison of Eze’s playing style with current Spurs options to help readers understand why he’s seen as a fit.
– A short futures angle could explore how a move could reshape both teams’ systems, especially if Spurs go with a 4-2-3-1 and Eze operates as the No 10 or an interchangeable winger-in-midfield.