Football reporter, Jordan Davies, told talkSPORT on Sunday morning (13/06/21 at 7:40 am) that Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish is set to start on the bench for England today.
The Three Lions will host Croatia in their Euro 2020 opener, with many hoping that Villa’s expert ball-carrier is named in the starting XI.
Grealish produced a stellar campaign in Villa colours this season and impressed even further during England’s recent friendly encounters.
Both Villa and England supporters won’t like to hear it, but it seems as though there will be no Grealish in the starting XI despite those top-quality performances.
Ex-Republic of Ireland striker, Tony Cascarino said: “I was reading Jose Mourinho’s column and he’s playing Grealish, but we are hearing differently, aren’t we, Jordan?”
Davies responded: “Yes, we are. We are hearing that he could possibly be on the bench and I cannot see Southgate just keeping him back.
“It’s one of those where he wants to keep his cards in his pocket and I don’t think he will chuck all his aces onto the pitch at the same time against Croatia.
“He wants to have options. He has options. I seem to think that Grealish will start on the bench and there are reports going around right now.”
If Grealish does indeed start on the bench then that perhaps indicates that Gareth Southgate will be playing a back five.
Given that Croatia knocked England out of the World Cup in 2018, and the problems in England’s defence, it does seem as though Southgate has opted for the more cautious approach.
Either way, to not start a man of Grealish’s creative talents, either on the left or down the middle, will be one hell of a talking point and risk from the man on the Wembley touchline.
He is one of the best ball carriers in Europe, his fearless nature of wanting the ball in whatever area and whatever situation is what England need out on the pitch.
But even if he does start from the bench then he will still have an important role to play because this won’t be an easy ride against Croatia.
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