John Terry has stated that he would start Manchester City playmaker Jack Grealish over Chelsea’s out-of-form star Raheem Sterling for England’s World Cup opener against Iran on Monday in Qatar, as he told beIN SPORTS (20/11/22 at 6:55 pm).
The Chelsea legend added that players like Jack Grealish, who he worked and played alongside at Aston Villa, like to ‘isolate defenders’ and he thinks he could play a huge role out in Qatar as England kick off Group B.
At Euro 2020, Sterling, then in the colours of Manchester City, went into that tournament on the back of some poor form, but Gareth Southgate stuck to his guns and started the all-action winger.
It paid off because Sterling could argue he was England’s best player at Euro 2020, despite the penalty shootout heartache at Wembley that ended their tournament.
Either way, who will Southgate push for now? Stick with Sterling? Or pull a rabbit out of the hat? Well, Terry would start both Phil Foden and Grealish alongside captain Harry Kane.
“I think Jack (Grealish) is that type, he will take the ball anywhere,” said Terry. “I have worked with Jack. He wants it always.
“I have spoken before about these big tournaments. I think Foden and Grealish will play a big part in this competition because they want the ball. They want to isolate defenders. They make you go 2 v 1. Jack’s that type of player where he can commit two defenders.
“Sometimes at Manchester City, it’s difficult he does that, then he is confronted by two defenders. If he doesn’t release it, then everyone is going mad about he is holding onto it for too long.
“I would probably start Kane, Foden and Jack would be in my team. It’s the group stages. Sterling’s not in form for Chelsea. Will Gareth go Maguire? I think he will because of what they have done for him.”
BETTER OFF STARTING STERLING
If Gareth Southgate has to choose between Sterling and Grealish, then he is better off pushing with the Chelsea man because there isn’t much difference between the two.
It’s not like Grealish has been blowing teams away in Man City colours this season, in fact, far from it.
And, as the 27-year-old showed at Euro 2020, he is a better impact from the bench and it will probably suit his game if he can attack the opposition and those tired legs when coming on as a second-half sub.
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