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Grealish backs Southgate
Jack Grealish believes criticism pointed at England manager Gareth Southgate this summer was unjustified.
The Manchester City star, 27, is part of the 28-man Three Lions squad set to face Italy and Germany in two crunch Nations League fixtures over the coming days.
Though the popular attacker has not always been a fixture in Southgate’s first-choice XI, he remains fiercely loyal to the 52-year-old boss.
When asked about the public reaction towards Southgate following four winless outings back in June, Grealish said: “I think it was harsh.
“We reached the [Euro 2020] final last year. Then I think the Hungary game at the start of the last camp [a 1-0 defeat], I think before that, the last time we’d lost a game over 90 minutes was maybe Belgium in November 2020 or something.
“So, I think it is very harsh, especially with the World Cup and the Euros, how well the team did and the manager himself.
“I thought it was obviously harsh but sometimes that’s what you get if you’re English. I’ve certainly had my fair share!”
Having scored his first goal of the season for City in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat of Wolves, the former Aston Villa captain will be hopeful of a start in the San Siro on Friday night.
Ant’s pretty Gord
Ex-Everton boss Rafael Benitez is delighted to see Anthony Gordon thriving at Goodison Park.
Benitez, who was in charge of the Toffees between June 2021 and January 2022, never doubted the 21-year-old academy graduate’s ability.
However, concerns over Gordon’s fitness had left the experienced Spanish coach unconvinced he would make the grade on Merseyside.
Benitez told Sky Sports: “We played a friendly in Miami in pre-season and after 50 minutes, he couldn’t run.
“We knew he was a player with quality on the ball, could finish, pass and had pace. But he couldn’t run. We had a conversation with him after the game. It was hot, but he’s a young player.
“I was talking with the coaches in the academy and my assistant and they said they weren’t sure. They knew he had the talent but maybe it was his mentality.
“He worked really hard, he improved his stamina and he got better and better because he had the potential.
“He has to improve some parts of his game, he knows that. But I’m really pleased to see him progressing because he’s a nice lad.”
