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When it comes to launching a signature boot, there's not much better a footballer can do than score in it – which is exactly what Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze did at the weekend. “It was perfect timing,” says Eze after a midweek training session that will have been much easier after a 5-1 win over Leeds created some much-needed space between Palace and the Premier League's bottom three. “I had a conversation with my brothers – someone sent a picture of Messi doing the same thing and I said ‘I’m doing it today.’”
The new boot, a collaboration between Eze and New Balance (with whom he's worked since 2021) is a tribute to the number 10's roots, growing up playing the game in cages around Greenwich. From the blue colourway reminiscent of his first junior team, to the celestial constellations representing Greenwich's Royal Observatory, the boot is a perfect fit for a football star with his feet on the ground.
Palace's midfield creator sat down to talk to us about his football education, faith, and how his upbringing informs everything he does – including on the pitch.
GQ: Congratulations on the big win. It was an impressive performance, especially in the second half. What do you put that down to?
Eberechi Eze: It was a good game for us. Obviously, it's been a bit difficult in recent periods, but I think we're clicking well: we're gelling together and playing with a bit more freedom and confidence, which is so important. We're in a good position at the moment – we just want to keep going and get as many points as we can up to the end of the season.
How did working with New Balance come about in the first place?
We've been in contact since [playing at] QPR and had conversations around how we could link up and work together, but it didn't actually happen until Crystal Palace. I saw an opportunity and they explained to me how I would work inside the brand – both what I'd be able to do and what they'd be able to do for me. It's been a sick process since the beginning, and it's a proper family. It's a pleasure to be with them.
You grew up in Greenwich, a borough that's home to some incredible buildings, like the Royal Observatory and the Naval College. How different is that to the rest of the borough and to your upbringing? How did growing up there inform how you play now?
Boy… it's a good question. I'd say it's quite different to other parts of the borough. There are parts that are nice, and you enjoy being there, but there are also some other parts where it's a bit more difficult.
Growing up, I've seen a lot of tough things as a child, but I think that's the shaping of who I am. Without those struggles and difficulties, I probably wouldn't be the person I am today. I try to show that in the way that I play – the freedom, the joy and the love that I have for football that's come from my childhood. I try to implement that as much as I can in my game now.
Where did you play as a child?
We had two or three cages that we would rotate around playing in. Sometimes we'd branch out to astroturf pitches and play five-a-side, but on a day-to-day after school, it would be the cages: go, drop your bags and just play however-many-a-side!
Do you still find yourself approaching games like that?
Not consciously, but a lot of the stuff that I do, I've learned in the cages. A lot of decisions that I make are probably cage decisions, but I don't realise it because they're so deep-rooted and embedded in the way that I play football. Playing and taking touches in small spaces is my game, and the cages have had a huge influence on that.
Was it important to represent Greenwich in the boot design?
100 per cent. That's home. That's where I've been raised, and where I've grown into a man. I've seen so many things and learned so much along the way, and I'm blessed to have lived in a place that has helped shape me into the person I am today.
How was the collaborative process making your signature boot?
New Balance showed me an idea they had, and we added little tweaks here and there. I thank God every day because I know so many people that would love to be in this position, but for some reason God chose me.
Coming from where I do, to have your own signature boot is a huge thing, especially with all the players I used to watch having their own, too. I'm hugely grateful.
You've shown a lot of persistence in making your way up the football ladder. Who have been your biggest influences throughout your career so far, both in football and general life?
What's sick with this boot is that I've been able to include on it the names of all the people close to me, who have seen the journey from the start.
There's a whole list of people that are on there. I'm grateful to my friends and my family for the help that they've given me throughout the whole journey. They've seen the ups and downs, the releases, everything. Throughout all of it, they've supported me. It's a blessing that you don't realise until later on – when you look back and you realise that oh, wow, this is what my parents were doing for me.
Growing up, I watched a lot of Ronaldinho. I watched a lot of Brazilian players. I don't know if it's because of the way they play football, and how free they are. You can see how much they enjoy the game, and for me, that was the biggest thing: wanting to entertain, enjoy, and express myself on the pitch. It isn't as easy nowadays, but I try to do it to the best of my ability.
Whenever you're feeling a bit down, just go on YouTube and type in Ronaldinho – you'll find so many compilations of him, passing with his back whenever he can…
Correct!
It just cheers you up immediately.
It's a mood lifter for sure.
Your faith sounds important to you.
It's massive. God is at the centre of my life: in everything I do, and everything I think about, I try to put God first. For me, that's a huge anchor to have because it balances everything else in my life. It allows me to balance my relationships with the people around me, with my job, with everything.
I know I keep saying it, but I can't explain how grateful I am to have God in my life because I don't know how I would navigate my way through situations and life in general. I try to be as grateful as I can and to walk in that peace that God has given me.
What's next for you?
I just try to look game to game. I'm focused on my aim to be the best I can be. I want to improve, keep affecting games, getting points, scoring goals, assisting – I want to do as much as I can from now to the end of the season.
Well, you're in my fantasy team, so please continue to do well.
I appreciate the trust!
The New Balance Starraiser Furon v7 is available now at newbalance.co.uk
