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The winger capped off a breakthrough spell on the Three Lions camp in good shape and admits he’s enjoying being in the spotlight.
England playmaker Jack Grealish has admitted he needed to transform off the pitch, and the Aston Villa captain has now cemented his place in Gareth Southgate’s plans.
The Three Lions recovered from the disappointment of a loss to Belgium on Sunday with a thrilling 4-0 win over Iceland under the bright lights of an empty Wembley stadium on Wednesday.
Phil Foden scored a double on his initial return to the senior fold, while Declan Rice snatched an inaugural goal for his country alongside one for Mason Mount as the hosts dominated 2020.
Grealish’s demonstrations of command, in the victory against Ireland and Iceland, and in the defeat against Belgium, have suggested a greater maturity in the game of the native of Solihull, to which he also agrees, adding that his position against him Public eye has instilled in him greater responsibility in his game. .
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“I didn’t think I was in the field [where pressure impacted me] but it was more off the court than I thought it was Jack from Solihull who could go out there and do whatever he wanted, “Grealish said at a post-game news conference.
“As you get older, you learn that you are a hero and a role model for younger guys. You have to watch out for what you’re doing. That doesn’t mean I won’t make mistakes, I probably still will. I feel like they’ve grown up. over the years.
“Hopefully I can continue to do so. I am the captain of a Premier League club and I need to take it easy. For the moment, I love my life.”
The story of England’s international breakout in November has been the emergence of Grealish, with the 25-year-old one of only two players to start all three games, in a huge show of confidence from boss Southgate just two months after that the winger needed a late injury. forced call to earn a spot on the team.
The former Republic of Ireland youth star received high praise from the national team coach ahead of this week’s final game and, following England’s defeat, acknowledged that his final stint in the fold has proven to be a great experience.
“I have really enjoyed coming here,” Grealish said. “I’ve started three games in a row, which is brilliant. That’s what you want to do when you come back. I feel like I performed at a good level here and I’ve been given the opportunity.
“Usually only Birmingham is [where I am talked about]. I am not blind and I can see it myself. That is the world we live in and the industry I am in. If you play football well, people call you to play, and that happens on social media.
“I just have to keep my cool. I know a lot of eyes will be on me now, both on and off the court. I’m old enough to control myself. The pressure on the court is what I love. All these great games, there are certain people. which it can affect, but I love it and I love the pressure. “
On the ties to the style and influence of former Tottenham star Paul Gascoigne, Grealish acknowledged that he considers it an honor to have to carry such notions, adding: “I like those kinds of comparisons.
“I love Gazza. I watched her documentary on Netflix about a million times. I love her character on and off the court. I love her freedom that she played with on the court. She played with such joy. You hear people talking about him and say it was a pleasure to see him, I think that’s the highest compliment you can get.
“When people say it’s nice to see you, it’s a compliment because that’s what I want to do. I want to entertain people. I also want to be effective on the field like Gazza was.
“Those comparisons are far away because I haven’t even played in a tournament like him. He thrived on the bigger stage, until he does, I don’t think I can be compared to him right now.”
