Malcolm Ebiowei has opened up on his move to Crystal Palace after the teenager was officially announced as the club’s first summer signing this week.
Malcolm Ebiowei said: “I’m delighted, I’m over the moon. I’m south London born and bred, so it’s a plus for me. I have seen a lot of players step up from the Championship to the Premier League and get their chance playing, and I was thinking that I would like to take that chance as well. I’m very excited – a bit nervous, but that’s a part of it really. Excited.”
Ebiowei quickly caught the attention of Derby fans and Rooney – who announced his departure from the club this week – following his arrival at Pride Park last September from Rangers. Initially playing with the Under-18s and Under-23s, he was promoted to the first team around Christmas before getting his first chances to impress in the New Year. Soon after making his debut off the bench, he was gradually given more and more time on the pitch, with Rooney telling reporters in March he’d not seen a young player play so consistently for 90 minutes for a long time following his role in Derby’s 1-1 draw with Coventry.
Malcolm Ebiowei said: “You can’t really put it into words. He is just the gaffer – I can’t call him by his first name. It’s just amazing. I didn’t really get used to it, I’m still when talking to him, a bit nervous. It will probably be the same for the gaffer here as well! I’m very fortunate to experience this. I have [spoken to Patrick Vieira]. I had a Zoom call with him. It was a good conversation.”
And after switching one Premier League Hall of Fame member as a manager for another one, Ebiowei is now looking forward to which current top-flight players he’ll be cutting his teeth against as well as alongside.
Malcolm Ebiowei said: “[My hero] has always been Ronaldo. Obviously, there is Neymar and Messi, Ronaldinho, but it’s always been Ronaldo – he’s the one that stands for me. I like to take players on. I’m creative and fearless. I like to win – I really like to win. If you see me getting emotional, it means I like to win – I’m not sulking! I’d like to learn from Wilfried Zaha, for example, because he’s been doing it at the highest level for a very long time now. I’d like to learn off him.”
