Jack Grealish is still an enigma for England. … harnessing the Manchester City winger’s brilliance is not proving easy for Gareth Southgate
- England secured 1-0 win over Australia, though Jack Grealish looked unhappy
- Grealish failed to look his usual exuberant self against Australia in England clash
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Wembley fans adore him. It took a while, but it appears now England manager Gareth Southgate has been converted too.
Eventually Jack Grealish delivered, setting up Ollie Watkins’ opener before being substituted in the 60th minute.
Yet something did not seem right with the Manchester City man. There was no smile to accompany his assist. The body language was not right. He lacked exuberance, that trademark swagger English football has come to love.
Grealish remains an enigma for England. His name, as has become the norm here at the national stadium, drew one the loudest cheers of the night as it was announced over the tannoy before kick-off.
When he was replaced boos rang round the national stadium. They love him here. What’s not to love — a supremely gifted footballer with the ‘lad next door’ personality to match.
Jack Grealish delivered the assist for former Aston Villa pal Ollie Watkins for the eventual winning goal, though seemed unhappy throughout the match
Ollie Watkins celebrated with his Premier League rival Jack Grealish after scoring in the match
Something did not seem right with the Manchester City man during the match. There was no smile to accompany his assist, despite looking cheerful in the press conference beforehand
But what’s love got to do with it? That’s what Southgate will be grappling with.
He knows the talent, everyone does. In fact, Grealish is the closest thing England have had to Paul Gascoigne since the brilliant Geordie’s retirement. But harnessing that brilliance is becoming quite the conundrum.
Once again in an England shirt, he flitted around the edges of the match. Starting on the left, he noticeably started to retreat deeper as he sought the ball.
Australia deserve credit for that. Their gameplan, especially in the first half, was effective as England struggled to cope with the intensity and energy of their press.
You were waiting for Grealish to grab the bull by the horns, to show the Aussies whose house this was is. It never really materialised. Of course, you can point to his contribution to England’s goal. But he is capable of so much more that just that.
It was perhaps apt when Southgate took his place in front of cameras to complete his pre-match media duties on Thursday that Grealish was next to him.
‘It is an important night for a lot of players, they will recognise that,’ said Southgate. ‘There is a reality with England that you have to take your chances when they come.
Grealish should have gone to sleep with those words on playback in his head. This was an opportunity for the Manchester City man. When the Euros begin next summer, as things stand only Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka are guaranteed a place in England’s attack.
Raheem Sterling, historically a mainstay in Southgate’s starting XI, hasn’t featured in the previous two squads. Marcus Rashford is out of form; and for some reason Southgate doesn’t appear to be fully sold on Phil Foden. There’s a position up for grabs. This was an opportunity for Grealish to claim it.
Jack Grealish was in top form for City last season, though was sidelined for a number of games at the start of this season, as England boss Southgate struggles to get best out of the winger
When Southgate selects his team for the crucial Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy on Tuesday night, there’s every chance that Grealish won’t be in it. That’s the reality for Grealish this morning.
Of course, Grealish, barring injury or an alarming drop in form, is virtually guaranteed to make the squad next summer.
But unless there is a drastic turn of events between now and next summer, it’s hard to see Grealish starting in Germany.
There’s plenty of time until then, of course, while there are genuine mitigating factors to consider. An injury that left Grealish with an eight inch haemotoma on his thigh in August took its toll.
Grealish is lacking match fitness and is undergoing mini pre-season to get back on track
By his own admission, Grealish is lacking match fitness and is undergoing a mini pre-season to get himself back to scratch. But on a night when opportunity was staring him square in the face, he turned the other cheek.
The Three Lions can weigh heavy on certain players. Struggling to replicate club form on the international stage isn’t a new phenomenon.
But something tells you that that shouldn’t be the case with Grealish. He isn’t one to overthink. When he’s on the pitch he’s at peace. A maverick.
‘I just love football,’ he said speaking earlier this week. But it didn’t look that way last night.
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