Solihull can proudly say it has unleashed some sporting legends on the world over the years. John Eustace, Joanna Wise, Craig Gardner, the list goes on and on. But Jack Grealish might just turn out to be Solihull’s most famous sporting son of them all – especially if he is able to live up to his promise at the forthcoming World Cup.
Praise from the competition
No less an authority than Antonio Rudiger believes Grealish will have a vital role to play and if Gareth Southgate puts his trust in him, it could give England that vital edge they will need to emerge victorious. Former Chelsea player Rudiger has recently signed for Real and will himself be a vital part of Germany’s campaign. He therefore has no reason to say it any way other than as it is.
Rudiger went so far as to mention Grealish in the same breath as Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling when talking about England’s great players. Let’s see how a kid from Solihull has come so far and so fast.
About Jack Grealish
Born in Birmingham, Jack Grealish spent his formative years in Solihull and attended St Peter’s Secondary School. His Irish descent meant he was eligible to play for either England or Ireland. After playing a handful of times for the Irish youth teams, he was courted by England and in 2015, he decided to switch his allegiance and represent them.
At club level, Grealish was signed by his beloved Aston Villa at the ago of just six – as a kid, he lived just round the corner from Villa Park. As international recognition grew, so did Grealish’s stock value and it was inevitable that one of the big clubs would come knocking. Sure enough, he signed with Manchester City last year and has never looked back.
World Cup prospects
Grealish is certain to be on the plane to Qatar. However, there are question marks as to whether he will be given the opportunities in the middle that he has undoubtedly earned. Right now, those other names mentioned by Rudiger, Kane and Sterling are right up there among the biggest in the world. In fact, Kane is the pre-tournament favourite in the World Cup top goalscorer odds.
Grealish is unlikely to play that sort of a role, but Rudiger points out that he is the sort of player who can turn a game on its head. He cited the recent Nations League game in which England snatched a draw against Germany in the closing minutes. The goal might have come from Harry Kane’s successful penalty, but Rudiger believes it was Grealish’s arrival from the bench mid way through the second half that triggered the change of momentum.
The World Cup gets underway in November, and England will start their campaign against Group B rivals Iran on 21 November. It’s a game England needs to win convincingly, and there’s one Solihull lad in particular who will be desperate to play his role.
