GAZZA WAZZA
Stage set for Grealish to follow in footsteps of Lions legends
JACK GREALISH is on a mission to achieve the impossible and follow in the footsteps of England legends Paul Gascoigne and Wayne Rooney.
Grealish wants to step up to the plate when it matters most and deliver on the biggest stage – like both his heroes did in the past.
Gazza shone at both Italia 90 and Euro 96, while Rooney took the footballing world by storm at the Euros in 2004, before progressing to become England’s greatest goalscorer.
Grealish admits he still has a lot to do to be mentioned in the same breath as those two icons of English football.
But he reckons he has it in him to rise to the occasion and deliver the goods when it counts – in the hope of defining his own career with the Three Lions.
Gareth Southgate’s men cruised into the knockout stages of Euro 2020 with a 1-0 win over Czech Republic to finish top of Group D. The pressure will now mount on England as the hurdles get tougher but Grealish reckons
he was born to perform at this level and is relishing the challenge ahead.
The Aston Villa playmaker, who shone against the Czechs to make the most of his first start in the tournament, crossing for Raheem Sterling’s winner, said: “There is nothing to say I can’t perform at this level.
“You all know how much confidence I have in myself to be able to perform and I felt I did that with my assist.
“I felt I could have still created a few more chances but we got the win and that was the main thing.
“I’ve spoken about how big these tournaments are in people’s careers. You think back and look at Gazza at Italia 90. He was well known before but everyone remembers that tournament.
“You look at Wayne Rooney at Euro 2004 when he set his marker to be one of the best in the world.
“I’ve got a bit to follow in their footsteps but hopefully I can do that if I get more chances in the tournament.” Grealish has never played in Europe at club level and reckons missing out on the chance to do so is making him revel in international football even more.
He added: “It’s obviously different to what I’ve been used to. I’ve never played in the Europa League or Champions League.
“But it’s a new challenge. It’s something that I’m really enjoying. I love it. It is a matter of showcasing my talent to the world and it is what I want.
“Just playing for my country is what I’ve always wanted to do. That was my aim for this season and finally I’ve done it.
“I just hope I can keep training well to try to get myself in the team. I love playing football. That is what I am paid to do and what I was born to do.
“When I go out there, there is no pressure on me whatsoever. I just enjoy myself like I always do.”
England have still to concede a goal in the tournament but Grealish admits the Three Lions need to do more at the opposite end if they are to go deep in the competition.
He said: “It’s a brilliant achievement, to go three games without conceding, but attacking-wise we can still step it up.
“We have so much talent. I saw the manager say it in one of his interviews.
He is bang on.”