Jack Grealish’s pal stunned by ‘surprise’ Man City claim – ‘I don’t believe it’
Jack Grealish is not any more suited to playing for England now he has played for a season at Man City, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Aston Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer and friend of Grealish claimed the 26-year-old was one of the best players in the Premier League at Villa but Southgate cannot ignore him now he plays for a “big club”.
As quoted by the Telegraph on Saturday (28 May), Southgate explained that the forward is more suited to the national team because he’s learned a lot about positioning and tactics at Man City.
Grealish had a difficult first season under Pep Guardiola where he was in and out of the side but he still managed 10 goal contributions in 39 appearances across all competitions.
“This season he’s learnt a lot more from Pep Guardiola about how you have to stick to your position and not roam as much,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“When I see him play for England I still see him roam. I feel he enjoys playing for England more because he can get on the ball more, make things happen and maybe doesn’t have to stick to his position as much.
“I don’t believe that, to be honest. When he was at Aston Villa, Southgate took an age to bring him into England when he was one of the best players in the league.
“I think they are strange comments from Southgate, to be honest.
“It was easy to leave him out when he was at Aston Villa but when the players at the big clubs it’s harder to leave them out.”
Grealish moved to Man City last summer (2021) for £100million after a starring role in the England side that reached the final of the European Championship.
He has 20 England caps to his name, scoring one goal and contributing six assists in the process.
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