Jack Grealish has spoken highly of Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, as he told his England press conference.
The Aston Villa playmaker praised Henderson on how he conducts himself on the training pitch and said it’s ‘no wonder’ he has had the career he has had with Liverpool and England.
Henderson has lifted the Premier League and Champions League with Liverpool, and now he’ll be hoping to add the European Championships to his locker.
And ahead of Euro 2020 kicking off, Grealish, who is expected to be one of the stars of the show, waxed-lyrical about the Liverpool man and Harry Kane away from the field of play.
“You come here and you see the likes of Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane,” said Grealish. “And what they do off the field.
“Obviously, what they do on it, we can all see that. But what they do on the training pitch, around the place and how they look after themselves.
“You sit there and think ‘it’s no wonder why they have the careers that they have had’. I think that’s one of the main things that has made me mature as a player, as a person and as a captain.”
Whilst Henderson and Kane have tasted major tournaments with their country before, this will be a first for Grealish.
Many want the expert ball-carrier to start England’s Euro 2020 opener on Sunday, but a lot depends on what formation Gareth Southgate picks.
If he selects a three-man midfield then Grealish’s chances of starting will increase, but if it’s a five at the back then it won’t be a surprise to see the Villa man warming the bench.
One thing is for sure, and that’s Henderson not starting because he’s not match-ready.
He only recently completed his first set of 45 minutes after several months, so the Liverpool man may find himself being used in several substitute roles instead.
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