‘Every time I watch Grealish’: Roy Keane compares Aston Villa star to Cristiano Ronaldo

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Roy Keane lauded Jack Grealish on ITV Sport on Wednesday evening after the Aston Villa player starred as England recorded a 1-0 win over Austria.

The Manchester United legend compared the expert-ball carrier to Cristiano Ronaldo and claimed that every time he watches the boyhood Villa fan in action, he ‘affects the game’.

Even though Grealish isn’t 100% fit yet, and could only muster 70 minutes for his country in an international friendly last night, he still managed to impress.

Of course, Villa fans have been used to such performances on a weekly basis, and even though Grealish had a good game, he was nowhere near his best, yet he still left many thinking he has to start for his country at Euro 2020.

Keane made it clear that he would ‘find it hard’ to leave a player like Grealish out, with Euro 2020 kicking off next week.

“He’s just a pure quality player,” said Keane. “He gets criticised a lot for going down, but he wins free-kicks and that’s vital in the modern game. Set-plays

“Every time I watch Jack Grealish play, he affects the game. He will be delighted to get through 70 minutes (v Austria). I would find it hard to leave Jack out (for Euro 2020 opener). I think he’s a quality player.

“And he’s one of these players, at the moment in terms of the England set-up, is a little bit under the radar. But he could be the star man for England because he makes things happen.

“But one thing he has is courage. He always wants the ball. We saw that in all the top teams in the world. The Ronaldo’s. Portugal. You need players like that, someone who wants the ball in tight areas and he’s brave. Courage. Makes things happen. He’s outstanding.”

Grealish is now seemingly getting the respect he deserves in his career and what Villa have been crying out for over the years is now being seen.

Ever since his days in the Championship, Villa supporters have made it clear that Grealish has the qualities to go right to the top.

And as the weeks and months have passed by, the quick-thinking playmaker has won more fans over and is now crying out to start for his country against Croatia next week.