Eberechi Eze of Queen’s Park Rangers first came to our attention during his breakout loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers in 2017-18. He continued to show promise after breaking through into the QPR first team in 2018-19, and has now made a start to this season that’s impossible to ignore. A player that was previously simmering may now be reaching boiling point.
The summer appointment of Mark Warburton as manager has turned QPR from unremarkable Championship no-hopers to a side full of attacking intention and in Eze they have a player ready-made to thrive on such freedom of expression. Equally comfortable playing as a #10 or out wide, the 21 year old has also impressed in a deeper role, featuring on several occasions as an #8 in a 3-1-4-2.
Clearly enjoying the deeper starting role, Eze’s gotten on the ball in the earlier stages of QPR’s possession and by utilising his close control, quick feet and athletic ability to drive through the midfield, completing no fewer than 85% of his ball carries that end within the opposition half, he’s been a real force at turning defence into attack.
The advanced positions he regularly ends up in means it’s appropriate to look at his contribution against the boundaries for more advanced midfielders and wide players as well. Eze’s ability to make an impact in the final third has been key to QPR’s strong start and his Scoring Contribution rate of 0.55 (goals + assists per 90 minutes) ranks him second for all players in the Championship under the age of 22, with his expected rates (xG + xG assisted) not far behind either at 0.33.
Far from just a capable carrier, he also has the passing mastery to match. A really smart user of the ball in and around the final third, Eze has the capability to see an opportunity to play a killer pass but also the technical accomplishment to execute them as well, completing 87% of his passes into and within the attacking third.
As expected, the rumour mill has begun to turn with Southampton and Spurs the Premier League sides most recently linked, a step up that will become an expectation rather than a possibility should Eze maintain his fine start.