Roberto Martinez paid tribute to the ‘wonderful’ Jack Grealish after Belgium were run ragged by the Aston Villa captain during Sunday’s UEFA Nations League clash with England, while speaking to Alan Brazil on talkSPORT (19 November, 9:00am).
It has taken a while but, after dazzling against the team sitting pretty at the top of the FIFA World Rankings, Gareth Southgate can ignore England’s most in-form footballer no longer.
Grealish was a rare shining light in a dark evening for the Three Lions in Leuven, producing what Southgate himself labelled an ‘outstanding’ performance as England’s Nations League campaign came to a premature end thanks to first-half Youri Tielemans and Dries Mertens strikes.
The Brummie-born schemer did little to silence those Paul Gascoigne comparisons either as a vibrant, fresh-faced England side battered Iceland 4-0 in Wednesday’s dead rubber.
The always-affable Martinez only had positive words to say about a man who had his Belgian defence on strings during a coming-of-age performance on the international stage.
“Very impressive. Grealish has got this wonderful understanding of the space. He’s a very different footballer, really strong, balance, powerful and great quality with the ball,” said the former Everton, Swansea City and Wigan boss.
After a frustrating Nations League campaign, England signed off in style last night as Southgate’s next generation produced a performance full of energy, enthusiasm, speed and skill to leave Iceland dazed and dizzied.
Bukayo Saka, Mason Mount and Declan Rice stood out alongside Grealish but it was two-goal Phil Foden who really caught the eye.
“Foden has incredible potential. He will benefit from working with Pep Guardiola (at Manchester City),” Martinez added.
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