Gary Neville has shed some light on Gareth Southgate’s decision to sub off Jack Grealish in the semi-final against Denmark.
Speaking in the studio after the game, Gary Neville has offered his support to Gareth Southgate’s decision to substitute Jack Grealish during the heated Euro 2020 semi-final clash against Denmark on Wednesday, as reported by Daily Mail.
The Aston Villa playmaker had initially started the game on the bench but came on as a 69th-minute substitute for Bukayo Saka. However, after failing to breach the Danish defence, Grealish was subbed off at half-time of the extra time in favour of Kieran Trippier.
The move was made to further strengthen England’s defensive core, shortly after they had won a controversial penalty and taken the lead. Nevertheless, Southgate’s decision to substitute Grealish has sparked a lot of debate among the pundits.
Gary Neville has chimed in on it as well, saying, “Jack tonight has suffered and look it’s an embarrassing moment for him in the sense of being a sub who is subbed. But he will recognise it was the right thing for the team.”
Prior to the game, Grealish, who had starred for Aston Villa in the 2020/21 campaign and has been heavily linked with Manchester City, scoring six goals and providing 12 assists, was a major factor in helping England secure a victory over Germany in the Round of 16. He was involved in both of the goals scored in the second half, but Southgate has been criticised for not using him more in the England frontline.
The England manager’s gambles have paid off well, though, with both Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka doing a great job in the wider attacking position for the Three Lions.
Neville himself has hailed Southgate’s risktaking, including the decision to sub Grealish against Denmark. ‘There’s been moments through these games where Gareth has made decisions where he would be battered if it had gone wrong. Trippier in the first game, not playing Grealish enough, Scotland and people saying the system was too negative.
“There’s no ego in that dressing room, he will make decisions that need to be made for the team to be careful, and he puts the team first,” he added.
England will now brace themselves for a historical final against Roberto Mancini’s Italy at Wembley on Sunday, as the Three Lions look to secure their maiden triumph in the European Championship.
