LONDON - Pep Guardiola is looking to make Jack Grealish a £100million player this summer, and just ask any England supporter right now and they'll tell you that Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Southgate is set to make a comeback after his pivotal 22-minute cameo against Germany. worth helping out. To take the team to a 2-0 victory and a place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.
In fact, sources have told ESPN that Guardiola sees Grealish as a key target during this transfer window as Tottenham striker Harry Kane. Cain may be Guardiola's ideal replacement for Sergio Aguero, but the Spaniard has been a longtime fan of Grealish, and his match-winning influence against the Germans showed why the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach rated the 25-year-old . so excessive.
The question now is whether he has done enough to convince England manager Southgate to make rival Guardiola his biggest fan.
Southgate needs to explain the most about the qualities of the Grealish. His substitute appearance against Germany was only his 10th senior cap - his first recently came in September 2020, when he made his full debut during a 0-0 draw against Denmark in Copenhagen.
Southgate's objection to the player is not only about his work with the ball and ability to contribute defensively, but also about his character off the field. Grealish himself admitted last season that he had to mature as a person because, 'I thought I was Jack from Solihull who could go out and do what you want.'
Grealish's reputation as 'Jack the Lad' influenced his footballing ability and did not help his cause with Southgate, who has repeatedly spoken out about the need for his players to be of the right character.
Since returning to the Premier League with Aston Villa two years ago, however, Grealish has put his footballing potential at the forefront of the conversation and that is why he is now so high on Guardiola's wish list. And after his impact against Germany, Southgate will now certainly allay any concerns about Grealish by putting him in England's starting line-up for the remainder of this tournament.
He made a significant difference against Germany and could still be the man who could open the door for England to win their first major tournament since the 1966 World Cup.
When the dust settles on England's victory, it will only be the scoreline and its importance that is remembered. The tough, spirited performance for the most part of the game will, of course, be quickly forgotten. It's a business of results and England got the win they desperately wanted.
But until Grealish was introduced as a 68th-minute replacement for Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, England were devoid of creativity and flair. It was a tough watch, with Kane once again denied service and Raheem Sterling cutting a frustrated man on the right side.
Sterling was the only player to offer any sort of cutting edge. The City winger, England's leading scorer in the tournament with 3 goals, threatened Germany with his pace and readiness to take on opponents, but he lacks the ability to see off Grealish's pass.
Every time Grealish appeared on the big screen or warm-up at the touchline, home supporters roared his approval and sang his name, in the hope that the clamor would make a difference and Southgate would eventually get him on the pitch. will be forced.
And when he went ahead, he made an immediate impact by placing the ball in German territory. In simple terms, he offered England a player with technique and vision and, within eight minutes, he saw Sterling open the game by releasing Luke Shaw on the left before directing goalkeeper Manuel to cross past the Manchester United defender. Stepped for the first goal. Neuer from a distance of six yards.
It was a turning point in the game and an air of caution was raised from the team. It also relieved nervous tension among fans, as the fan-favorite had arrived and changed the entire complexion of the game. Eleven minutes later, Grealish made another decisive contribution by breaking into the penalty area and crossing for Kane, making the game safe with a close goal.
It may have been Southgate's plan to hold Grealish back until Germany's defenders were tired, but whatever the strategy, he must now find a way to keep him from the start.
Southgate said, "With Jack, as with some others, we just have to maximize what's possible. With him and [Jordan Henderson], they both missed week 14 of the season. These games Are intense with and without the ball." About Grealish later.
"We know he's a really special talent and he can make a huge impact. Just like he did. It's a conversation I had with him yesterday.
"We have so many good attack options and it's hard to give them the love they need. They need to feel that. Their acceptance across the board; they've understood and sacrificed themselves for the group. On stage Reach that we are."
Whether it's Sweden or Ukraine, who face England in Saturday's quarter-finals in Rome, and then either Denmark or the Czech Republic in the semi-finals, if they reach the last four, they are the favorites to win against those teams. who are not in the same class as Germany. . England will have to be at the fore and take the initiative in these games and put Grealish at the front and center of everything if they are to truly take advantage of their attacking wealth.
He has started only one game at Euro 2020 so far - against potential semi-final opponents Czech Republic - but he has come of age against Germany and just can't be held back anymore. After just 115 minutes of football in the tournament, he has more assists, most 18-yard boxes and more fouls than any other player in Southgate's squad.