England vs Denmark: Here's why 'new Gazza' Jack Grealish should be the first name on Three Lions' team sheet
Jack Grealish and Aston Villa are yet to lose a game in the ongoing season of the Premier League. They have won their games against Sheffield United, Fulham and went on to pull off the season's most upset win (7-2) ever over defending champs, Liverpool. They won their EFL fixture over Burton but suffered a loss to Stoke City. And in the three Premier League Games, Grealish has scored three goals with two of them coming against the Reds.
The Villa skipper has been in prime form, but the sight of him warming the bench against Belgium in the Nations League raised eyebrows. Grealish produced a match-winning performance against Wales that England won 3-0. However, the 25-year-old sat out of their fixture which the side won after Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount scored for the Three Lions. Grealish has been in scintillating form of late for both his club and the national team pressing his case to be part of the starting XI.
It was an attacking masterclass by Grealish against Liverpool that also saw him produce three assists. In addition, he created five scoring opportunities for Villa and was a constant thorn in the side for Trent Alexander-Arnold. It's safe to say he's in the form of his life and he took over from last season where he scored eight goals for the side. There's also the defensive edge he brings to his game where he gets up and down to both ends of the pitch.
Add to that, his skill of being ghosting past opponents that saw him draw comparisons to Nottingham Forest legend John Robertson. Grealish as an attacking midfielder adds more depth to the England side although pundits explained the reasoning behind his sitting-out against Belgium. Football coach, Gary Neville identified the issue behind him not playing. "It’s a bit of a problem for Jack Grealish because he sticks with 4-3-3, because the two in midfield, I don’t think he’d be one of those two against the big teams," he said according to Birmingham live.
"I think if you look at the front three, you’ve got Sancho, Rashford, Sterling, Kane, Calvert-Lewin, and more - where would he get in there?" He told Sky Sports. "It’s an issue for Jack Grealish because he is talented, he deserves his place in the squad, he was fantastic the other night." Grealish has scored 10 goals in 41 games last term and earned his England call-up in September's 0-0 Nations League draw in Denmark. That said, he should be a sure starter in the upcoming game partly due to his rich vein of form.
While it is clear that gaffer Gareth Southgate still feels Grealish's defensive game could do some working on that led to him preferring Mason Mount, the string of impressive performances mean Grealish could probably get a look-in against Denmark on Wednesday, October 14. To be quite honest, a player in a superb-striking form lends more depth and strength on the offensive front and this may work in England's favor should he get going. There's no reason why he must watch from the sidelines in the their next game.
