Former Arsenal player turned television pundit, Ray Parlour, has shared his thoughts on England’s midfield options for the upcoming Euros, advocating for Jack Grealish to be a starter over Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Tottenham’s James Maddison.
In a recent interview, Parlour was tasked with selecting his ideal front six for the tournament, emphasizing the wealth of talent available to manager Gareth Southgate. He chose Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka for the wide positions, with Harry Kane leading the line. Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham were also included as midfield certainties, leaving one spot open for debate.
While Grealish is typically deployed as a left winger at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, Parlour believes the versatile player has what it takes to excel as a No. 8 in the midfield. Despite facing competition from Palmer and Maddison, Parlour is confident in Grealish’s dynamic skill set and defensive capabilities, making him a strong candidate for the midfield role.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Parlour expressed his support for Grealish, stating, “On his day, do you know who I’d go with, when he’s really at it? Grealish… I think Grealish can play in that midfield, he can track back.”
With the Euros fast approaching, the debate over England’s midfield lineup continues to heat up, with Parlour’s endorsement of Grealish adding an interesting twist to the discussion. As fans eagerly await Southgate’s final squad selection, the spotlight remains on the talented players vying for a chance to shine on the international stage.