JACK THE LAD HAS THE SEAL OF APPROVAL FROM GARETH
GARETH SOUTHGATE believes Jack Grealish is still a footballing free spirit at Manchester City – albeit he’s more disciplined.
That’s on the pitch, obviously. Away from it Grealish, 26, will always be a larger-than-life character who loves to enjoy himself, according to the England boss.
As City’s £100million record signing has underlined in recent days – and nights – with his Premier League title partying (below) causing a storm on social media.
In the past such behaviour might have bothered Southgate. Not any more. Now, he is far more interested in Grealish’s growing maturity as a player.
The signs are promising in that respect so the Three Lions supremo had no hesitation in selecting the ex-Aston Villa skipper for Nations League duty next month.
‘Jack the Lad’ on the town, maybe, but when it comes to England’s cause, Grealish’s dedication and professionalism is unquestionable.
Southgate said: “I spent last summer getting hammered for not picking him and now I’m being told I shouldn’t be picking him. But that’s my world.
“We were very happy with his mentality and his performance in
March. We like the way he went about his training. We saw a player that was hungry to do well.
“Also, he is that free spirit, as we’ve seen over the last few days, that just wants to enjoy his football.
“He is what he is!” Certainly,
Southgate can appreciate why Grealish is quite so thrilled at securing his first piece of silverware – given the intense spotlight on his every run, pass and shot since joining the champions last summer.
And he can see plenty of positives in how Grealish’s game is progressing, even if others want more.
“He would have hated the accusation that he’d gone there and not won anything,” said Southgate. “He’s now done that and I’m sure he’ll feel a little bit calmer.
“At Villa, he was the one who gave them hope, got them up the pitch. At City, it’s about adapting to a dressing room where there are great players all around you.
“I wouldn’t have expected him to score 20 goals. He likes to be the provider.
“Whether he adds getting on the far post like Raheem Sterling has, maybe he will, maybe he won’t.
“But he gets as much enjoyment out of the
creating as the scoring.”