I want to be at Euro 2020 with England, admits Jack Grealish
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has admitted that his target this season is to make England’s squad for Euro 2020. The 24-year-old struggled with injuries over the last few years, which has stopped him from making his debut senior side with James Maddison and even Mason Mount getting a chance.
Despite representing the Republic of Ireland as a youth star, Jack Grealish eventually opted to switch his allegiance to England in 2015. Since then, the 24-year-old has made seven appearances for the U21s but has yet to play for Gareth Southgate’s first team. That could change, with Mason Mount and James Maddison getting call-ups recently, after impressive performances with Chelsea and Leicester City.
But with Aston Villa only just promoted, Grealish hopes to see his name there in the near future and maybe even in time for Euro 2020. In an interview with the Evening Standard, the 24-year-old revealed that he is confident he can force himself into Gareth Southgate’s England plans.
“Yeah definitely, an England cap is on my mind. I think the position I play at the moment there are so many talented players out there: Madders, Dele , Mason Mount and Lingard, so many good young English players. So there is a lot of competition there but I know I can play. I back myself to get into the England team. I need to add goals and assists to my game. At the start of the season I know I haven't been playing to the standard I know I can. I can perform better,” Grealish told the Evening Standard.
The 24-year-old added that former England and Chelsea star John Terry told him, that he has what it takes to play for his country. The Blues legend is now an assistant coach at Villa Park and has worked closely with the attacking midfielder over the last few years, even playing alongside Grealish.
“From being in the Championship last year, now to being in the Premier League it is going to take a bit of time. I was speaking to John Terry the other day and he said it always took him five or six games to get to the standard he knew he could be at and I think that is the same as me at the moment,” concluded the Englishman.