Arsenal legend makes desperate Jack Grealish plea over Manchester City performances | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Jack Grealish needs to return to performances shown at Aston Villa to hold down a place in Lee Carsley’s England squad, according to one Arsenal legend.

Grealish made his return to the England international set-up over the past fortnight, having missed out on the summer’s European Championships through Gareth Southgate’s own selection for the tournament.

The former Aston Villa captain has admitted that as a direct result of missing the tournament in Germany, he had endured one of the most difficult summers of his life and certainly in his top-level professional career.

However, new-found form in Pep Guardiola’s side throughout pre-season and during the opening contests of the competitive campaign, coupled with Lee Carsley’s appointment as England interim head coach, has seen Grealish’s return to the Three Lions set-up.

Speaking in the aftermath of England’s 2-0 win over Finland at Wembley Stadium, secured via a Harry Kane brace, Arsenal legend and ITV pundit Ian Wright was keen to praise the performance of Jack Grealish, whilst also insisting on what needs to take place next.

“Really progressive, taking people on, dictating, exactly what you want to see, getting past people, what we know he’s great at doing,” Wright said of Grealish’s performances for England over the last two matches.

He continued, “We haven’t seen so much of it at (Manchester) City, but we’ve seen it in the last couple of games for England. Again, it comes down to the opposition. But it’s great to see him playing in that style, and hopefully it can be enough to force him into this (England) team.”

Ian Wright continued by pointing out that should the “Villa Jack” return to the pitch for Manchester City, then there is a chance that he will not be displaced within the Three Lions picture any time soon.

“I’d like to see him play like he used to play again, because if he can get back to that Villa Jack, then there’s no way anyone can keep him out of that team,” Wright explained.

Jack Grealish will now return to Manchester City duties this week with a view towards holding down his place in Pep Guardiola’s line-up for the visit of Brentford to the Etihad Stadium, following his last start for the club.

Savinho’s injury sustained prior to the final game before the international break saw Grealish drafted into the left of Manchester City’s front-three for the meeting with West Ham United at the London Stadium.

A bright performance from the Englishman will certainly give Pep Guardiola plenty of food for thought ahead of the Bees’ visit this weekend, despite Savinho’s return from a minor knee injury.