With his birthday looming, Manchester City’s reliable ball-keeper is set to play a more adventurous role for his country under the stewardship of interim boss Lee Carsley
Turning 29 on Tuesday, Jack is no longer a lad. At least he should not be. Now is the time for Grealish to wring every last drop of productivity from his considerable talent.
His performance in the Aviva Stadium last Saturday was not just significant for the goal it produced – a calm, precise finish that Manchester City supporters do not see enough of – it was significant for the sight of a player who looked like he belonged in an international shirt.
In the first instance, Lee Carsley’s selection of Grealish was also significant. As this season’s club form guide is negligible, Carsley was, essentially, suggesting Grealish should not have been omitted from the 26-man squad that went to the Euros. If that was, indeed, his suggestion, then he was absolutely spot-on.
And in giving Grealish a role that had a licence for adventure, Carsley was making a gesture of faith in a player who continues to divide opinion. All things considered, Saturday in Dublin was as much fun as Grealish has had in an England shirt.
When omitting him from the European Championship squad, Gareth Southgate’s issue was that Grealish had a forgettable 2023/24 season in a City shirt, both in terms of game-time and in how he performed when Pep Guardiola did give him a chance.
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And judging Grealish on his contribution to City’s cause could also give Carsley, assuming he gets the job permanently, serious food for thought. There is limited evidence but, judging by the way England operated against Ireland, Carsley sees Grealish performing a role for his country that is very different from the one he is given by Guardiola.
At City, Grealish is a cog in a possession machine, often keeping the ball rather than taking risks with it. Coaching staff and players know him as a ‘rest station’, in that he allows other players to take a breather by keeping possession or winning a free-kick.
It is not too often he drifts into that creative central position that Carsley encouraged him to take up on Saturday. From England’s point of view, it would be great if Guardiola did give Grealish permission to take more gambles.
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While he stays under Pep, though, it is unlikely we will see little of Jack’s free spirit. But that does not mean he cannot be a different character for England.
“It was one of the worst summers of my life,” Grealish said. “It was difficult but it has given me something to bounce back from. I need to start playing regularly, scoring goals. I’m still not 100 percent fit but I am getting there so, from a personal point of view, I’m happy.”
And when your next birthday after this Tuesday is your 30th, getting 100 percent fit – and staying 100 percent fit – might need some sacrifices. Judging by the pride and delight he showed at being back in an England shirt, Grealish looks like a man ready to make them.
