Grealish: I play with more freedom for England
Jack Grealish has admitted he plays with more freedom with England and has been guilty of being “a bit safe” when he performs for Manchester City.
The 26-year-old came off the bench to inspire England as they salvaged a 1-1 draw away to Germany in Tuesday’s Nations League tie and highlighted the difference between playing for club and country.
Having mentioned being able to play in a freer role for England, Grealish was asked if that was not the case at City, whom he joined from Aston Villa for £100million last summer.
“I do think that,” he said, suggesting he had played within himself at City. “I feel at times I’ve played a bit safe at City but when I come here I feel like even in training I feel like I train really well. Score goals, get assists and whatnot.
“When I come on the pitch… it’s hard to explain. I do feel like I play with a lot more freedom here and hopefully I can transfer that into my club football and keep on improving.” Grealish stressed that part of the difference at City was the far more structured style of football demanded by Pep Guardiola. “Of course they’re two different managers, so it’s always going to be difficult.
“Pep’s a lot more structured. You can’t complain because of what he’s done in the game, how successful he is. Whereas Gareth [Southgate] is more whatever you think… obviously you have a formation and a structure but he says to me, ‘If you feel like you need to go to the other side of the pitch to get the ball, then go and do that’.”
Harry Kane says he wants to start England’s next two games against Italy and Hungary in the Nations League, despite having already played 60 matches this season, as he closes in on Wayne Rooney’s all-time record of 53 goals for his country.
However, Southgate has suggested he will start Tammy Abraham in at least one of those fixtures, as the 24-year-old auditions to be the England captain’s understudy at the World Cup.
Given Abraham plays his club football with Roma, it may be that Southgate reasons he should be given his chance against Italy on Saturday. If not he will feature in the final one of this round of four fixtures against Hungary next Tuesday.
Kane scored his 50th England goal against Germany and said of starting the next two games: “Well look, that’s down to Gareth. Of course I want to play every game possible.”