Jamie Carragher, in his column for The Telegraph, has urged Gareth Southgate to start Chelsea’s Mason Mount over Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish when England face Germany.
Grealish earned his first start of Euro 2020 in the Three Lions’ final group stage match against the Czech Republic with Mount unavailable. The 22-year-old had to socially distance after being a close contact of Scotland’s Billy Gilmour.
Mount had featured in 18 of England’s previous 21 fixtures as a favourite of Southgate since 2019. Grealish is yet to have that luxury after only playing nine times and is yet to score on the international stage.
Aston Villa’s Grealish offered his first assist in a competitive game for England against the Czech Republic to win 1-0. It followed a lethal campaign for Dean Smith’s talisman, who lit up the Premier League with six goals and 12 assists.
But Carragher believes Southgate needs to bench Grealish with Mount – and Phil Foden – expect to start, per Sky Sports. As the former Liverpool defender believes the Chelsea product would be better suited to the demands of facing Germany.
“Germany have stuck with their high defensive line which is susceptible to counter-attacks,” Carragher wrote. “For all the nationwide clamour for Southgate to stick with Jack Grealish, there are sound tactical reasons for him not doing so against this profile of opposition.”
He added: “The dilemma for Southgate is choosing between Grealish or Mason Mount. I would go with Mount. He is technically good on the ball and just as importantly, his pressing is as good as anyone in the squad.
“That is so important in this match, especially as England may have to do plenty of chasing during certain periods.”
Is Carragher right to suggest Mount over Grealish for England?
Southgate would not be picking life-for-like deciding between starting Aston Villa’s Grealish or Chelsea’s Mount for England against Germany. The two midfielders would offer the Three Lions a very different option in the line behind Harry Kane.
Mount hastily tried to pull the strings against Croatia and Scotland in his Euro 2020 appearances but often fell short. Against the Tartan Army, in particular, he made a few probing runs but frequently wasted crossing opportunities.
Grealish, meanwhile, worked tooth-and-nail at both ends against the Czech Republic having done more than his defensive share. He also came short and ran for the ball, produced a lovely chip for Raheem Sterling and creativity from set-pieces.
The Aston Villa maestro could have hardly done more to prove he deserves to play against Germany. But it remains to be seen if Southgate plays favourite with Mount or starts Grealish for England on Tuesday.
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