Gareth Southgate has been urged to take the game to Germany and make England’s old foes “nervous” for their Euro 2020 last 16 encounter.
The two nations meet for the first time in a major tournament since 2010 on Tuesday as they vie for a place in the quarter-finals.
Southgate himself knows all too well about the longstanding rivalry, having missed the crucial penalty 25 years ago at Euro ’96 at Wembley.
The same stage is hosting the latest installment, with both teams confident of coming out on top.
It is likely the England boss will switch up his side again for the clash, with the possibility of playing a three-man defence and wing-backs being mooted, with two holding midfielders in front.
But former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp – who was Southgate’s teammate at Euro ’96 – feels the Three Lions need to go for broke and give Germany something to worry about, by fielding BOTH Jack Grealish and Mason Mount.
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Grealish started the last match vs Czech Republic and was outstanding, but the performance of Bukayo Saka and the return of Phil Foden have complicated Southgate’s team selection.
However, Redknapp believes the decision is a lot more straightforward than people think.
“I personally cannot see how we can’t play Grealish in the next game against Germany,’” Redknapp told Sky Sports . “Part of playing for England and for your country is whether you can handle giving the ball away.
“Can you want the ball at all times? Can you make something happen?
“The number of times he drove at his full-back, he made the goal, so I do not see how we could leave him out of the next game.”
Redknapp admitted he did not expect Southgate to select the Aston Villa captain for the last 16 fixture, but added: “If Mason Mount and Grealish are played together, I would be nervous if I was in the Germany side.
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“I would be more nervous playing against those two than against Rice and Phillips. That’s no disrespect to them or whoever is left out, but Jack Grealish has to play.”
Mount’s availability is still unknown amid his period of sel-isolation with teammate Ben Chilwell.
The Chelsea pair were left out of the clash against the Czechs due to them coming into contact with Scotland’s Billy Gilmour, who tested positive for Covid-19.
They have been training apart from the rest of the England team and it is not yet known whether they will be back in contention for Tuesday’s showdown.
Fortunately their isolation period is due to end on Monday, meaning they will be able to train with the rest of the squad from then, while Declan Rice revealed Mount has tested negative for Covid-19.
According to The Star, Southgate has even got Mount watching England’s training drills via Zoom so he is aware of the set piece drills his side will be implementing on the day – a sure indication that he will play some part.
