Jack Grealish has openly discussed his ambitions of being called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad one day, while also admitting he sees himself as a more central midfielder.
The Aston Villa captain has enjoyed an impressive season upon his return to the Premier League, netting seven goals and providing six assists despite the clubs position towards the foot of the table.
His form has seen calls intensify about a potential call up to the England squad for next months friendlies against Italy and Denmark, a situation Grealish often thinks about.
โI canโt help but think of playing for England because that is what I want to do,โ he told the Express and Star. โI hope I have done enough (to get a call-up) but I also think I can perform better and that is the Godโs honest truth.
โPeople on the outside might say I am doing well, but I know for a fact I can do better and score more goals and get more assists.โ
Grealish has been utilised on the left-wing for Dean Smith’s side this season, a position in which Gareth Southgate is already well-stocked, though the 24-year-old has admitted that he actually prefers playing more centrally.
โWhat will be hard at the moment is with the position I am playing in at the moment, people would probably say I am playing as a winger.
Jack Grealish has had a direct hand in 13 goals in the #PL this season, more than any other English midfielder#AVLTOT pic.twitter.com/os7ExaZUSn
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 16, 2020
โIf you look at Englandโs wingers, I doubt I would have much of a chance of starting in front of Sterling, Sancho and Rashford, who are all unbelievable players!
โIโve always said my favourite position would be playing in midfield. That is where I would love to play for England.
โIt is where I would want to play for Villa, but it just so happens at the moment I am playing well in the position I am in and it is better for the team.
โIf I was fortunate enough to get a call-up, the position I would want to play is in midfield.โ
Grealish has been heavily linked with a big-money move to Manchester United in the summer, though he isn’t paying much attention to the speculation and hype surrounding him.
โOf course itโs nice, who doesnโt like to be talked about in a nice way? But, to be honest, I try and take everything with a pinch of salt,” he admitted.
โI had it all five years ago when I broke through and I was getting talked about a lot. I was 19 years old, going online reading about myself and I couldnโt believe it. I was in the papers all the time and they were asking: โIs this the new big thing?โ
โThen just one thing goes wrong and it all comes down on you like a ton of bricks. It is nice to read and nice to listen to, but I donโt let it get to me too much, because I know how quickly it can change.โ
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