FA Cup: Eberechi Eze's heroics against Man City send a message to Arsenal and other suitors

If that is how he chooses to go out at Crystal Palace, then Eberechi Eze could not have done it more fittingly. Just as he was in the FA Cup semi-final, the dazzling attacker was the difference-maker at Wembley Stadium once more on Saturday.

Taking the prime time shift with no other elite football being played in England, Eze proved to be the match winner out of nothing after just over half an hour. Playing a matter of miles from where he was born, Eze now has a trophy in his cabinet and a golden medal to add to his stash.

It has been almost two years since he last signed an extension at Palace, though, and he is halfway through his current deal. When summer comes, a decision will have to be made.

That is a pressing issue which looks likely to come to a resolution with a sale this summer. For Eze, it is not quite as straightforward. He could choose to reward Palace for all their work and faith in him by staying for the European tour, seeing how far it goes. Or, he can use this as the platform that his performances have warranted, and a step up to the very top.

It will be no shock to anybody that Arsenal, who have been working with Martin Odegaard hard over the past few seasons, are one of the interested clubs. Eze is reportedly seen as being at least a £60 million player to Palace. That price is not likely to decrease after this achievement.

Much like with Michael Olise, who was picked up by Bayern Munich for around £50m in 2024, Eze would not have anybody begrudge him if he were to depart. He has proven his worth and shown great ambition with Palace.

This feels like both a moment in time and the potential end. It could be the start of something even greater and the sort of extended affair with Palace that kept Wilfried Zaha on board despite constant links away, or it could be the perfect farewell.

It is hard to know just which one this is. Eze celebrated his goal at Wembley with sheer glee. He will know what the narrative and feeling around this game are.

He sank to his knees close to the corner flag by the Manchester City supporters and was flocked by his teammates. Eze pointed to the sky, and his players crowded around him.

With more than an hour left to play, Eze was not able to influence proceedings like he often can in the Premier League, but he also didn't have to. He was not the best player on the pitch because he did not have to be and simply could not be.

Instead, he demonstrated exactly why there is so much to like about his all-around game. Eze tracked back, he dropped deep to plug the gaps around the Palace defence.

Kevin De Bruyne fouled him, so did Josko Gvardiol. City nibbled at his ankles to shut down counterattacks, and they needed to cut Palace off at the source. In a game like no other for Eze, with the pressure on his every touch more important than ever, he found space to shoot and score at the one time City lost him.

It is this sort of brutal efficiency which has never really been asked of Eze, not when the stakes are this high. His calmness, composure, and ability to deliver are just as much a testament to his ability as anything else. He never stopped running to defend, constantly doubling up with his partners at wing-back or in the middle.

After keeping his head to focus during the game, which included an extraordinarily resolute effort from Palace as a squad, Eze then let loose at full-time. He streaked off to enjoy his acclaim and attention from the west end of Wembley.

Eze ripped off his shirt and stood there in his blue thermal layer. He pumped his fists, danced around, jumped from foot to foot, waving his arms in the air. At 26, Eze delivered exactly what Glasner had asked of his players before the game.