Eze hopes to emulate Henry and Ronaldinho by pushing his limit at Palace

Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze revealed he spent hours watching Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho online to inspire him to pursue a successful career in the game.

Having spent time at Arsenal, Fulham, Reading and Millwall's academies, Eze made the move to Queens Park Rangers in 2016, where he spent four eye-catching years.

During his stint at Loftus Road, the 26-year-old made 112 appearances across all competitions, scoring 20 goals, which resulted in a move to Palace in 2020.

Eze's career has since taken off in SE25, becoming a key figure for the Eagles during their time in the top-flight, earning him his first England appearance in June 2023.

After his assist against Chelsea last time out, Eze moved level with Christian Benteke on 46 Premier League goal involvements for Crystal Palace (28 goals, 18 assists).

Only Wilfried Zaha (96) has been involved in more for the Eagles in the top-flight, and Eze said that it was watching videos of the former Barcelona duo that inspired him.

"[Thierry] Henry was number one. Henry and Ronaldinho. Those were the two on YouTube you were watching," Eze told Sign Up - Into Football.

"These are the guys you grow up watching. They enjoy what they're doing, they love what they're doing, they have a passion for it and that inspires.

"I feel like those have been the guys that I've looked up to for as long as I remember.

"I started with my Dad taking me and my brothers to the park. I don't know why, but he'd always teach us how to take penalties.

"I don't know if he was some penalty guru in Nigeria when he grew up, but that's what he used to teach us."

However, as well as focusing on his own game, Eze also had an admiration for other players in the division, particularly England team-mate, Phil Foden.

Foden scooped the PFA Players' Player of the Year and the FWA Player of the Year last season after a stellar season with Manchester City.

Though his form has come under fire this season, Eze acknowledged the talent at Foden's feet.

"I love watching Phil Foden. Just the way he plays, the way he moves. You can see his talent level is insane," he said.

"He's a player, for sure, that you look to. Even forgetting about football, just how he looks when he's playing.

"The way he receives the ball, the way he passes. It's definitely a gift that he's got."

Palace currently sit 15th in the Premier League, having endured a difficult start to the season, but having gone unbeaten in their last three top-flight games.

They take on Leicester City on Wednesday, a side Eze has failed to score against in his five Premier League appearances against them.

Next month marks nearly a year since Oliver Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson at Selhurst Park, and Eze has been impressed with the Austrian's impact at the club.

"I think he brought new ideas and a new way of seeing football," he said. "He increased our intensity so much.

"It's a lot harder on the pitch, obviously, but it's good, and it's how you want to play football."