Jamie Carragher has heaped praise on Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey by labelling him as a ‘top-quality’ footballer.
Over the weekend, Steven Gerrard ended Villa’s losing run as his side recorded a 1-1 draw against Manchester City, with Ramsey supplying the assist for Leon Bailey’s goal.
After Villa won the second ball in Man City’s final third, Ramsey picked up the ball, drove into the penalty area and played a brilliant left-footed cross into the path of Bailey who fired home in spectacular fashion.
It has been a stop-start season for Ramsey during these early stages, not helped by the fact that Villa are just hovering above the Premier League’s relegation zone and with only one win to their name.
But Ramsey was in the XI that faced the Premier League champions and he put on a fine showing in front of his own supporters in the Midlands.
It’s just more signs that he is set to become a key figure in Gerrard’s plans going forward, as Carragher praised the player for the part he played in Villa’s goal against Pep Guardiola’s men, as he told Sky Sports.
“Jacob Ramsey does fantastically well, he really does,” said Carragher. “We spoke about his poor first touch trying to take it onto his right foot earlier on (when going through on goal).
“But this is completely different – that right foot touch and left foot cross, then Leon Bailey uses the pace on the cross and it just flies past Ederson before he can react.
“Since Ramsey went deeper, he is having a real impact in the game. He is a top-quality player that young man.”
JACOB RAMSEY, A FUTURE ENGLAND INTERNATIONAL?
Given the endless amount of attack-minded players Gareth Southgate can pick from, an England call for Ramsey before the 2022 World Cup in November is unlikely.
But possibly earning those caps during the next 12 months is more than possible for a player that is only growing in Claret and Blue colours.
Ramsey is already an England U21 international, a key member and a player that is proving to be too good for that level, so if he does step up, then he is ready.
For now, it’s just a case of adding consistency to his game and producing those big-game moments for a team that is punching well below its weight.
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