Jack’s due his call-up!
JACK GREALISH is long overdue his first England selection this week, according to Aston Villa legend
Tony Daley.
The former Villa winger insists Grealish, 24, who turned his back on representing the Republic of Ireland five years ago, has proved his pedigree and is now primed to deliver on the international stage.
With Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate due to announce his squad for the Nations League trips to Iceland and Denmark, ex-Villa winger Daley, 52, said: “I agree Jack now warrants a place in the England squad. He gave consistently good performances last season.
“When he was in the
Championship, there were doubts if he could do it in the Premier League. But he’s now proved he can.
“Yes, there were ups and downs last season but people need to understand the immense pressure on his shoulders to keep Villa up.
“Everyone looked to Jack to deliver, every game.
“But when it mattered in the final few games, there was this new maturity about Jack which really came to the fore.
“He didn’t try to do everything on his own. He realised Villa had to play as a team – and you could see how others around him responded to that.
“He’s shown what a talent he is at Villa – and he’ll go up another level with the national team, with even better players alongside him.”
Daley believes that if Manchester United target Grealish does receive the nod from Southgate on Tuesday he may well decide not to leave Villa.
“If he’s been picked he might think he’s better off staying with Villa, where he’s settled and plays every week,” Daley added.