Former England international Darren Bent believes a lack of defensive awareness was the reason why Jack Grealish only played 20 minutes of the Euro 2020 final against Italy, speaking to talkSPORT (12 July, 4pm).
With the autopsy under way following a heartbreaking defeat for the Three Lions at a rain-soaked Wembley, questions will inevitably be asked why arguably England’s most naturally gifted player was left on the bench for the first 100 minutes of action against Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri.
Surely Grealish’s ability to take the ball under pressure, win free-kicks, break up play and ease the pressure would have come in handy against an Italy side that dominated 66 per cent of possession?
Bent, however, feels Grealish’s ability on the ball wasn’t enough to quell Southgate’s fears about his awareness off it, with the more dogged presence of Mason Mount preferred until deep into extra time.
Why did Jack Grealish barely feature for England in the Euro 2020 final?
“I would have put him (Grealish) on earlier,” says Bent, the one-time Liverpool and Sunderland striker who earned 13 England caps between 2006 and 2011.
“But I’m pretty convinced Gareth didn’t trust him to do the defensive side of the job.
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“I think Gareth looked at it and thought: ‘I want to get him on but do I trust him enough?’”
Bent also questioned why Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling were allowed to stay on until the end, despite struggling to exert their influence on proceedings.
“He built a rod for his own back (with) the performances of Kane and Sterling,” Bent adds, suggesting their ability to produce something out of nothing tempted Southgate to keep the faith.
“He thought he couldn’t take them off – ever.”
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