Crystal Palace make Eberechi Eze decision for Chelsea clash amid Tottenham interest

Eberechi Eze is due to start for Crystal Palace at Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday, despite strong links over a move to Tottenham.

The England international was reportedly set to be left out of the squad for the trip to Stamford Bridge, but Eagles boss Oliver Glasner will instead have him in his starting XI, reports the Athletic.

While Eze’s involvement in west London clearly means his career at Crystal Palace is not over yet, Spurs continue to push for a move for the 27-year-old.

Arsenal were linked with a move for Eze this summer but have seemingly pulled out of the race, leaving Spurs as hot favourites to land his signature.

Thomas Frank’s side made an encouraging start to the season on Saturday as they hammered Burnley 3-0 and are confident they can bring in Eze to strengthen their squad in a deal worth over £60m.

Also being linked with a move away from Selhurst Park this summer is centre-back Marc Guehi, who is a target for Premier League champions Liverpool.

Glasner talked up the professionalism of both England stars in his pre-match press conference and, despite reports suggesting otherwise, said he expected both to start on sunday.

‘Marc trained the entire week with us, every single training session. The same with Ebs,’ said the Palace boss on Friday. ‘They have prepared the best way for the Chelsea game on Sunday.

‘I’ve been in football long enough that I know every day, almost every time of the day, that things can happen. But if you ask me now, yes I expect both starting for us on Sunday.

‘(They have) the right mindset. No-one is forced to sign a contract, as soon as you sign a contract stick to it, because you did it voluntarily.

‘Stick to it because this is what you expect from the other party that they stick to their contract. Everyone would be upset if the club says, “We’re not pleased with your performance, we’ll cut your salary by 50 per cent”. Nobody would say, 2OK, thank you I agree”.

‘It is the opposite (with Guehi and Eze). You have rights and duties in a contract so stick to it. This just shows the character and mindset.’

Palace chairman Steve Parish gave a clear hint that club captain Guehi is likely to leave the club this summer as he heads into the final year of his contract.

Speaking after the Eagles beat Liverpool on penalties to win the Community Shield, Parish said: ‘For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it’s a problem for us unfortunately.

‘Joachim [Andersen] went [to Fulham last summer] and we couldn’t afford to lose both. We then had another bid [for Guehi] in January but that was a different situation.

‘We’ll just have to see what happens. But, you know, it needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.’