Aston Villa talisman Jack Grealish is expected to start for England in their final Euro 2020 group game against Czech Republic on Tuesday night, replacing Mason Mount in the XI after the Chelsea midfielder was forced into isolation in the wake of the Scotland match.
Grealish started both of England’s warm-up games but was left on the bench against Croatia and was given 27 minutes against Scotland. He showed flashes of what he can bring to the team when he got that chance and Mount’s absence creates a gap in the team.
Fans have been clamouring for Grealish, who was in top form for an impressive Villa in 2020/21, to be included and give England the attacking spark that has so far been missing.
The Daily Telegraph writes that Grealish will now get that chance to line up as a ‘number 10’ against the Czechs, with England needing to win the game in order to finish top of Group D.
Having started the two matches so far, Phil Foden could drop out of the team. Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho would be in contention to take that place, although it is said that Southgate could potentially make a shock call and hand a start to Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka instead.
Harry Maguire is also expected to return to action in this one. The Manchester United defender hasn’t played since suffering an ankle injury in the Premier League six weeks ago, but this game was earmarked as his comeback before England’s tournament actually began.
Kyle Walker could return in place of Reece James at right-back, but Luke Shaw will keep his place on the left. That situation could have been different were Ben Chilwell available, but like Mount, the Chelsea defender is in isolation after being identified as a close contact of Scotland’s Billy Gilmour.
Despite concerns about a lack of creativity and decisive forward passing in midfield, Southgate has been tipped to stick with both Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips.
Potential England team to face Czech Republic: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Phillips; Saka, Grealish, Sterling; Kane.
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Source : 90min