I played alongside Eberechi Eze in the EFL and advised the manager against selecting him, but he quickly proved me wrong.

Adebayo Akinfenwa has shared that Eberechi Eze needed to prove his talent during the early stages of his career.

The duo played together at Wycombe Wanderers when Eze arrived on loan from Queens Park Rangers in 2017. Akinfenwa, known for his iconic presence, admitted he had some initial reservations about Eze’s capabilities.

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At just 19, the future Crystal Palace star displayed immense potential at Adams Park, netting five goals in 20 League Two appearances, including a memorable brace in a 3-1 victory over Cambridge United.

This standout performance played a crucial role in changing Akinfenwa’s perception of Eze’s talent.

During his appearance on the Talkin’ Balls*** podcast, the beloved figure reflected on his first impressions of the England international.

He remembered, “When Eberechi Eze came in, we knew in training he had the skills.

“But we were Wycombe, a team that played direct football, back to front, without utilizing our midfield effectively.

“[Gareth] Ainsworth‘s tactics didn’t lend themselves to creativity.

“So with someone that technical, you could think: ‘Sure, but we need someone to win the ball back and play diagonals, that’s our style.’”

Akinfenwa, the club’s all-time top goalscorer in the EFL, expressed his doubts as to whether Eze’s talent would succeed in the English fourth tier.

His concerns were significant enough that he advised Ainsworth to keep Eze on the bench for the challenging match against Cambridge.

“I remember Ainsworth would consult me on his lineup for the upcoming Saturday. We were preparing to face Cambridge away,” he recounted.

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Ainsworth mentioned, ‘I’m considering starting Eze.’

Akinfenwa replied, ‘Gaffer, Cambridge are a formidable side.’

He continued, “I suggested we should focus on maintaining our position and bring Eze on later if needed.”

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Ultimately, Ainsworth stayed true to his original plan, leading to a shining moment for Eze.

The talented midfielder scored the opening goal with a stunning half-volley just after halftime and followed it up with another exquisite shot nine minutes later.

Akinfenwa was more than willing to admit his misjudgment as he reminisced, “The final lineup was released, and Eze was starting.

“He went on to score his two debut goals in that match—two of the best goals I’ve ever seen. We won, and I can still picture those strikes: top left, top right!”

He added, “After the match, I walked him over to the fans, declaring: ‘This guy is something special.’ I can’t help but think, that’s exactly why I’m not cut out for management.”

While Akinfenwa’s admiration for Eze grew during their time together, Eze’s journey has also included proving numerous others wrong. Prior to signing his first professional contract with QPR, he had been rejected by four clubs.

Before joining Rangers in 2016 at the age of 18, Eze faced setbacks after being turned away by Arsenal, Fulham, Reading, and Millwall.

However, his time at Wycombe set the stage for a successful career, leading him back to QPR, where he made over 100 appearances and scored 20 goals, earning a spot in the 2019/20 Championship Team of the Year.

In August 2020, he transferred to Palace for £17 million, gaining widespread acclaim for his performances. He received his first senior England call-up in May 2021, made his debut in June 2023, and played a key role in the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 journey to the final.