Any
defender who saw Jack Grealish glide around the Wembley turf with
composure beyond his years should think twice before deciding that
kicking him off the pitch is the way to limit his effectiveness.
Between
the ages of 10 and 14, Grealish played Gaelic football to a high
standard, even appearing at Croke Park five years ago in a match during
half-time of a Dublin v Kerry senior game.
On
his debut for John Mitchels, a GAA club in Warwickshire, he received a
mighty blow and appealed to the referee. ‘This isn’t soccer, Jack,’ he
was told without pity.
Jack Grealish put in a dazzling performance as Aston Villa beat Liverpool in an FA Cup semi-final on Sunday
Villa fan Grealish takes on Liverpool's Emre Can at Wembley during the impressive 2-1 victory at Wembley
Grealish celebrates with Fabian Delph (left) and Gabby Agbonlahor (centre) in the Wembley dressing room
After
progressing through the Villa youth ranks he had to give up the sport
where opponents would kick him and stamp on his fingers, but the
toughness remains.
The
19-year-old was clobbered by two fouls against Liverpool in Sunday’s FA
Cup semi-final win, picking himself up each time. He wears his socks
rolled down to show he is unafraid of taking ferocious hits.
As a
15-year-old he watched a Sky Sports special dedicated to George Best and
saw the Manchester United great dribble through a forest of tackles to
score. Best wore his socks round his ankles in defiance, and Grealish
decided to do the same.
Now there is an aspect of superstition to the practice although he does buy kid-sized shinpads to meet safety regulations.
Grealish wears his socks around his ankles but has to buy kid-sized shinpads to meet safety regulations
Man United legend George Best also wore his socks round his ankles with Grealish deciding to do the same
‘It’s
just his style,’ said Villa manager Tim Sherwood. ‘If he performs how I
think he can, he can dress how he wants. It’s not a fashion show. He is
good and perhaps he knows he’s good. You know what he said to me when I
told him he was playing? He just said: “Bout time!”’
Grealish,
on Chelsea’s radar until agreeing a new deal earlier this season,
recorded Sunday’s game and celebrated Villa’s win by going home to watch
it twice more.
He
is refreshingly down-to-earth. This evening Grealish will attend his
nephew’s school cup final and present an award, bringing a pair of
signed boots, too.
Grealish joked 'about time!' when manager Tim Sherwood revealed he would be playing against Liverpool
Grealish and his Aston Villa team-mates celebrate as the club reached their first FA Cup final since 2000
Grealish may draw a larger crowd after Sunday’s memorable Wembley debut in which he played a role in both Villa goals.
There
was also a breathtaking moment when he controlled a dropping ball,
killing it dead with one touch. It showed why there is an international
tussle between England and Ireland for his services.
Watching
proudly were dad Kevin, mum Karen, brother Kevan, and model girlfriend
Sasha Attwood. They have been together since they were 14.
No comments:
Post a Comment