I stayed away from Eberechi Eze in training – his transfer made him a different animal

Arsenal-bound Eberechi Eze has always been a player of immense talent, but one particular transfer in his career turned him into "a different animal."

That's according to former team-mate Joel Lynch, who has said the transformation came as a result of Eze's loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers in 2017. Eze and Lynch were both part of the same Queens Park Rangers team after Eze made the switch from Millwall's academy in 2016.

However, after not making it into the first team during his initial season at Loftus Road, the winger was sent on loan to Wycombe to gain some senior experience. The winger spent only the first half of the season with Wanderers.

But he played a significant role in helping the club secure promotion from League Two. He returned to QPR in January 2018, and Lynch recalls the remarkable change he witnessed in Eze in such a short period.

"He was a brilliant player before he went, but when he came back he was just a different animal," he told BBC Sport in 2023 (via The Mirror). "It was just mad.

"I don't know what happened to him, but when he came back he was unbelievable, just a completely different player. Every bit of his game was better. He literally came back our best player.

"He was miles above the rest really. The way he carries himself is perfect. If any young lad coming through the game wants to look at a player it would be him, he's the prime example of how to be a professional. He's a class act."

Crystal Palace have reaped the rewards of that development since bringing Eze to Selhurst Park for £17million during the summer of 2020. Fast forward to the present day, and he's poised to return to Arsenal for more than treble that amount.

Eze was shown the door by the Gunners at 13 years of age but is now close to completing his journey back to north London in a £67.5m transfer. While that climb through the English football hierarchy might surprise some observers, it seems Lynch, who spent time at QPR between 2016 and 2019, had long recognised his ability.

"I just wouldn't go near him," he continued. "He'd just do some madness and try and nutmeg me. Before the start of games, where everyone is giving each other high fives, I'd go up to him and say, 'Mate, score a couple now so we can all go home. Just win us the game please.'

"He was that good. I actually thought at the time he could literally just win us the game. The only time I watch the Premier League now is to watch him play."

Eze is expected to complete his medical with Arsenal after Mikel Arteta's side stole a march on rivals Tottenham in the race for his services. Spurs were believed to be frontrunners before the Gunners tabled more attractive terms to Palace.

Following such a brilliant five-year spell in south London, supporters are eager to witness what he can accomplish wearing Arsenal colours. Nevertheless, it's highly unlikely the transfer will be finalised in time for Eze to participate in Saturday's Premier League encounter against Leeds.

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