Jack Grealish told what he 'can improve' if he wants to earn starts for England
- Planet Sport writer
- 8 June 2022
Manchester City star Jack Grealish put in a game-changing performance from the bench for England in Germany, but Gareth Southgate does not appear especially keen on him as a starter.
Gareth Southgate says Jack Grealish must earn a place in England's starting line-up after his star turn as a substitute against Germany.
England scored late to draw 1-1 in Munich, but the introduction of Grealish from the bench appeared to be the turning point in the game.
Fans have long been demanding the Manchester City man gets more minutes for England and this will certainly intensifiy those arguments, but Southgate says Grealish is the man who needs to settle the debate, not him.
"I think he can be both," Southgate replied when asked if Jack Grealish was an impact player or starter for England.
"If we didn't trust him we wouldn't put him on the pitch with 20 minutes to go in the belief he can make a difference.
"The start of the game, the challenge to the wide players to attack, defend, try to score goals at a high tactical level and you've got to be spot on.
"I think that's an area Jack can get better at and what he did do was carry the ball and at that moment of the game as it opens up there's a little more space, a little more opportunity, and also that freshness.
"The impact that he and Jarrod Bowen had was really important in those attacking areas. There is a good challenge there, good competition for places and we've got to keep pushing them."
The introduction of @JackGrealish has made a difference. You have to take chances to make things happen at this level.
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) June 7, 2022
Harry Kane was the man to dig England out of the hole after he both won and converted the late penalty, and Southgate was keen to point out his value to England is far greater than just his goals.
"The finish is exceptional, isn't it?" Southgate said of Kane's penalty.
"The pressure at that moment, he trusts his technique. We have huge faith in him. I haven't really seen the re-run [of the decision] again.
"It looked at the time as though there had been an obstruction on him, at the very least. I'm assuming the referee has looked at it and decided that was the case.
"Rightly, the fact that he's got 50 goals will be the centre part of the story. But his all-round game, the way he led the line, the way he competed, the way he pressed from the front for us today was exceptional."