Nigel de Jong told beIN SPORTS 11 (08/02/21 at 10:05 pm) that Leeds United’s Jack Harrison will find it ‘hard’ to get ahead of the likes of Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish for England.
The Manchester City loanee was on the scoresheet once again on Monday night, as Leeds recorded a comfortable 2-0 win against Crystal Palace, with de Jong suggesting he was Man of the Match.
Now, ahead of the delayed Euros, the England boss has a number of high-quality attacking talent to choose from, which will more than likely, result in a couple of big-names being left behind in the summer.
Former Holland international de Jong praised Harrison but dismissed any thought on the ‘power’ Leeds player pushing ahead the likes of Grealish, Mason Mount or Raheem Sterling for his country.
“We were debating who was going to be Man of the Match, it was between him and Raphinha,” said De Jong.
“But Harrison could also be the Man of the Match. The way he is playing and the form he is in. That is also thanks to Bielsa. The high intensity that he is always demanding from his players.
“Of course, he could be a potential future candidate to be in the squad of England, especially on that left side. He’s more of a power wing-back, for me. Then an actual left-winger.
“Left winger (for England), no, because you have the likes of Grealish, Mason Mount, Maddison, Rashford and Sterling, so it’s going to be hard for him to get into that position.
“But as a left-back or as a power wing-back, an engine room, yes, I think he can potentially be in the England squad.”
This is Harrison’s third loan spell at Leeds, and it’s fair to say, he has transformed into quite the player over the years.
During his early years at Elland Road, Harrison struggled with consistency and his final delivery.
But hard work away from Thorp Arch, as well as working under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa, he is now a thriving star in England’s top-flight.
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