Palace eyeing next Eze in Pharrell Willis

Crystal Palace are reportedly eager on signing Middlesbrough teenager Pharrell Willis and the younger midfielder may show to be the following Eberechi Eze at Selhurst Park.

In line with TEAMtalk, each Palace and West Ham are eager on bringing the 19-year-old to the Premier League, though Boro are engaged on tying the teenager all the way down to a long-term contract on the Riverside.

Willis made his first senior appearance for the Championship membership in midweek as they thrashed Blackpool 3-0, with new boss Michael Carrick clearly impressed with what {the teenager} has been displaying in coaching and with the academy sides.

He said:

“Pharrell has caught the attention. That’s soccer. You see issues as a coach. Sure issues catch your eye.

“He performs with that spark, that freedom, he’s had a superb angle.”

Willis has been a regular for each the U18s and U21s at Middlesbrough in latest seasons and has one aim and two assists within the Premier League 2 to this point this marketing campaign.

He loved an excellent 2020/21 time period, hitting eight goals for the U’18s, which clearly did sufficient to persuade these at Middlesbrough that he was prepared for Premier League 2 soccer.

Ought to Palace signal Willis?

Now that he has made the step up into the senior facet, it appears solely a matter of time earlier than he begins displaying his high quality within the Championship, particularly if Carrick continues to provide him alternatives within the first staff.

Ought to Palace win the race for {the teenager}, who can play on the wing and in midfield, it may very well be a repeat the deal that noticed Eze join from QPR in the summertime of 2020.

Whereas he was already established as one of many prime gamers within the Championship on the time, having hit 14 goals and eight assists within the season earlier than becoming a member of, Carrick’s feedback about Willis’ spark and freedom are definitely harking back to Eze’s model of play.

Contemplating the 24-year-old is now valued at €30m (£26m) by Transfermarkt and is starring in Vieira’s facet this season, the French supervisor would absolutely like to have one other prime younger expertise with the potential to have the identical affect as Eze within the Premier League sooner or later.

Due to this fact, Steve Parish ought to undoubtedly have a look at bringing Willis to Selhurst Park in January earlier than Middlesbrough can tie him all the way down to a long-term deal.