Jack Grealish has revealed he watched highlights of Kevin De Bruyne and Philippe Coutinho to inspire him before his incredible display for England.
The Aston Villa captain looked sensational for the Three Lions against world no.1 ranked side Belgium, but was unable to stop the visitors slipping to a 2-0 defeat.
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The penultimate match of a challenging year was always going to provide the Three Lions’ toughest test – and acted as a reminder of the work required before the rearranged European Championship.
Gareth Southgate had a number of absentees to contend with and could not find a way past another of the favourites for next summer’s tournament, with Youri Tielemans’ deflected strike and a fine Dries Mertens free-kick seeing Belgium run out victors.
However, the performance of Grealish against Roberto Martinez’s men will have buoyed his boss and it can be put down to the influence of two men in particular.
“I knew this was my chance to impress but these are the things I love, the pressure of wanting to do well is what I love,” he told Sky Sports.
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“The last 24 hours I’ve been watching clips of my favourite players, which I always do, and I’ve been buzzing wanting it to start.
“I watched loads of clips of De Bruyne, Coutinho, loads of people who are in my position, I did it as a little kid and I still do it today and that’s what gets me going for football matches.
“I absolutely loved it. For me this I what I’ve been waiting for, the games I’ve dreamt of playing in against the number one-ranked team in the world.
“I’ve grown up my whole life wanting to play for England. Overall it is a team game and we wanted to go out and win and I am ‘devvoed’ (devastated) we couldn’t get the win.”
Despite the defeat, it seems as though Grealish has also convinced England captain Harry Kane of his undoubted abilities as the pair combined beautifully in Leuven.
“Fantastic player, I really like him. It was great to be out there on the pitch with him,” Kane added.
“You could see his qualities on the ball, great one-versus-one and always looking for that pass forward, which is great for a striker.
“He has to keep working hard and he will get plenty of opportunities in an England shirt.”
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