JACK GREALISH says he isn’t ready to throw away his ‘L’ plates yet – even though England legend Gary Lineker has tipped him for this season’s Premier League Player of the Year awards.
Despite his Jack the Lad image off the park, Grealish remains a humble hero and admits he fears missing out on Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
Jack Grealish has his eyes on a strong run in with Aston Villa and a place in England’s Euros squadCredit: AFP
The 25-year-old Aston Villa captain Grealish has impressed in his five previous England appearances, since making his debut against Denmark in September but fears he could miss out if he suffers a dramatic dip in form.
He told the Express and Star: “I still think there is so much more to come from me and that is not being big-headed either.
“It is just having confidence in my own ability. I think everyone I have worked with will say how confident I am as a person and a player in my own ability.
“I truly believe in myself and think I have so much more to give. I have big aims for this season.
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“The one thing I am just praying to God for is I get in that next England squad because I’ve enjoyed every minute so far.
“It’s definitely helped bring my game on. Watching those players train and taking little bits from their game. As soon as you start playing for the national team, you up your own game.
“Hopefully there is more to come but as I’ve said to a lot of people, there is so much talent in the England team in my position. I have to keep doing what I have been doing, keep trying to impress the manager and keep my fingers crossed.”
Grealish’s value is soaring towards the £100million mark as he has been responsible for either scoring up 15 of Villa’s goals this season – the best stats of any player in the Premier League.
Jack Grealish has impressed in a Three Lions shirt and wants to stay on Gareth Southgate’s radarCredit: Getty Images
Yet he studies Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and soaks up knowledge from Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson as he looks to take his game to the next level.
“I remember one night in Belgium I sat with Jordan Henderson for two hours and we chatted about everything,” said Grealish.
“It is nice to speak to these people about how they see the game, how they train at different clubs, different cultures.
“The other half is watching players like Kevin De Bruyne and when he gets into the final third, what he does. You need to mix it up, sometimes dink it to the back stick, sometimes go underneath the defence. That is what I have been doing in training and it has paid off in matches.”
Grealish’s child-like love of the game showed against Newcastle recently when manager Dean Smith brought him off for a well earned rest – and received the petted lip treatment from his workaholic skipper.
He revealed: “I spoke to the manager about that. I was devastated. I hadn’t come off for 42 games. I was desperate to stay on.
“I always want to be on the pitch, no matter how tired I am or how tired the manager thinks I am. I think that will stay with me.
“Everyone knows I like a night out. I’m a normal kid and I would never pretend otherwise. But I just love football. I love having a ball at my feet.
“I’ve been blessed with talent and I’m determined to make the most of it. I don’t think I will ever lose this hunger.
“There is nothing I love doing more than entertaining people.”
Rio Ferdinand begs Man Utd to seal Jack Grealish transfer from Aston Villa whether Paul Pogba is sold or not
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
