Robinson reacts as Grealish receives England call

Paul Robinson said that “it would have been a blow” to Jack Grealish to have not made it into the initial England squad despite a late call up for the Aston Villa midfielder.

The former Spurs and Leeds United goalkeeper, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, admitted that he was shocked to hear that the 24-year-old did not make the original cut after an “outstanding season”.

Grealish was called up to the Three Lions for the first time today after Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Tottenham’s Harry Winks pulled out of the squad to face Iceland and Denmark in the Nations League.

England boss Gareth Southgate cited formation and the wealth of talent in attack for the Villa captain’s omission last week.

Grealish‘s 41 appearances last season yielded an impressive 10 goals and eight assists in a Dean Smith side that only narrowly avoided the drop in the 2019/20 campaign.

When asked by Football Insider for his reaction to the late call up, Robinson said:

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“I was surprised that he did not get a call up in the first place.

“He had an outstanding season last year but there are a lot of players in that position for England. They are blessed in attacking areas.

“I was shocked that he was not in the initial squad. It would have been a blow for him, to be honest, to not be in the initial squad and come in as a replacement if you like.” 

 

Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland Niles and Wolves’ Connor Coady were also late additions to the England set up.

When asked about his original decision not to include Grealish, Southgate said: “I know Villa have played him as an eight, but I don’t see him in that role for us. He could play as a 10, but we haven’t played with a 10.”


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By: Football Insider speaking to Paul Robinson
Title: Robinson reacts as Grealish receives England call
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/i-was-shocked-exclusive-paul-robinson-reacts-to-big-aston-villa-player-update/
Published Date: Tue, 01 Sep 2020 06:00:49 +0000