Gary Lineker has commented on Aston Villa Jack Grealish being an unused substitute during England’s win against Ukraine on Saturday evening.
The Match of the Day host told BBC One (03/07/21 at 10:20 pm) that he noticed Southgate ‘hugging’ the Villa man and thinks he told him after full-time, ‘I am going to need you at some point’.
It goes to show what Southgate has at his disposal when the Three Lions put four past Ukraine during the quarter-finals of a major tournament, yet someone of Grealish’s ball-carrying ability doesn’t get on the field.
And after yesterday’s win, Lineker commented on Southgate and Grealish’s interaction after full-time.
“It’s a huge advantage for England to have the same level of player that’s already on the pitch (come off the bench),” said Lineker.
“Foden and Grealish didn’t get a kick tonight. I saw Gareth at the end hugging Jack Grealish.
“He was probably saying ‘I am going to need you at some point. In the semi or maybe the final’.”
Grealish may not have been needed yesterday, but it’s not going to be plain sailing against Denmark in the semi-finals.
They are a much better outfit than what Southgate’s men have faced, with better technical players and more goals throughout their team.
The Villa academy product will, more than likely, start from the bench once more, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if his services are needed this time at Wembley.
He has already proven to be the game-changer and Southgate knows that he has that trick up his sleeve if he is in a tricky situation again.
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