Merson: ‘New Gazza’ Grealish does not ‘fit into Southgate’s plans’
Paul Merson has suggested that Jack Grealish’s “problem” with England is that he does not “fit into Gareth Southgate’s plans”.
Grealish has grown to become a fan favourite among England fans over the past year. This comes as he has shone for his boyhood club, Aston Villa.
The midfielder played a significant role in Villa staying in the Premier League in 2019/20. He ended the campaign with eight goals and six assists as Dean Smith’s side finished a point above the bottom three.
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Grealish took that end of season form into the 2020/21 campaign. His term was hampered by injury, but he still managed to get six goals and ten assists from his 26 league outings.
Prior to his injury, he was considered to be a leading contender to win the PFA Player of the Year award.
The 25-year-old recovered in time to make it to the Euros as he was named in Southgate’s 26-man England squad for the tournament.
Grealish started both of England’s warm-up games against Austria and Romania. But he did not make the starting XI for their opening group game against Croatia.
Man City duo Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden were favoured over him and Grealish did not even come off the bench in the game.
England’s next Group D game is against Scotland at Wembley on Friday. Grealish has trained away from the rest of the squad ahead of that game.
Merson has told Sky Sports that playing Grealish against Croatia could have put Southgate under unnecessary pressure:
“The problem with playing Grealish, though, is the whole nation wants him to start as he is the ‘new Gazza’. He is a top-drawer player, don’t get me wrong, but I do not think he fits into Gareth’s plans.
“And if he plays him and he rips it up. Then Gareth is under severe pressure again when he does not need to be under that pressure.
“And that is why I do not think he came on against Croatia. It was made for him with Croatia chasing the game 1-0 down. No one keeps the ball better than Grealish.”
