Aston Villa star Jack Grealish MUST start for England against Belgium in Nations League, according to Warren Barton

Jack Grealish HAS to play against Belgium in the Nations League this evening, according to a former England international.

Aston Villa star Grealish has been one of the standout players for Gareth Southgate’s side in recent friendlies and is making a case for a regular starting spot.

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Jack Grealish has starred for England in recent internationals

The 25-year-old had a while to wait before making his England debut but has grasped his opportunity.

Former England defender Warren Barton joined talkSPORT’s Weekend Sports Breakfast and said Grealish should start against Belgium – with commentary of the match live on talkSPORT.

He said: “He (Grealish) has to play. He’s in the zone. You see him against Arsenal he’s flicking the ball around the corner. He excites you when he gets the ball and he’s got a bit of character and swagger.

“I like him. With that type of player, you give him a bit more confidence and freedom, he can hurt a lot of teams.

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“Yes, he may not do the other side of the game but he can do what he’s doing. He’s riding the wave at the moment.

“He looks like he’s got the personality to go into the arena and play against the top players.”

Barton, who has three England caps, thinks it will be an open game against Belgium but is excited to watch the young players in Southgate’s squad.

He added: “There’s young and exciting players. I think it will be quite open. I’d like to see goals in this game.

“Belgium got a punch in the nose when we played them last time, so they’d want to come back and have some of their big boys playing as well.

“I think it will be an entertaining game. I’m really excited for the young English players.

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“Sancho going forward, he excites me. Harry Kane has got a bit of competition for his place and Tony will know when you have someone breathing down your neck it will spur you on.

“It’s their chance to go and play against the best team in the world right now.

“For these young players to go and play it’s an ideal opportunity and that’s what, as an England fan and ex-England player, you want to have competition with the young players breathing down the necks of some of these players.”

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