Jose Mourinho thinks Jack Grealish would be the perfect player to take on Denmark, but doubts the playmaker will start in the Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley.
Grealish has been used as an impact sub by Gareth Southgate at Euro 2020 with the England manager opting to start with Phil Foden or Bukayo Saka instead.
Mourinho is confident England have the tools to beat Denmark, but admitted if he was in charge of team selection, Grealish would be a nailed on starter.
Premier League
Alli refuses to blame Mourinho for lack of Spurs appearances
05/07/2021 AT 11:08
I like the guy because he never hides, he creates unbalanced situations for the opposition, he is very, very brave, he breaks the routines of the game.
“Because England is a really, really solid team, especially with this dynamic of [Declan] Rice and [Kalvin] Phillips in front of the back-four, I believe a team always needs a player like Grealish.
“But it doesn’t look like he’s an option to start with Gareth, and Gareth is right, especially if England win the Euros – Gareth is right and we are wrong.
“I would always play Grealish, but I believe it’s not going to be Grealish, I believe it’s going to be Saka.
Southgate hopes home support will carry England into Euro 2020 final
“The kid did very well and I like very much a left-footed player coming from the right. They have Saka and they have Foden, but I believe they are going to start with Saka.”
Italy await in the final for the winner of the semi-final on Wednesday night after their thrilling win over Spain on Tuesday.
‘Has it ever been home?!’ – Schmeichel questions It’s Coming Home hype
England will have home advantage for their clash with the Danes, but Mourinho warned Southgate’s side Denmark won’t roll over the way Ukraine did.
“It’s coming home, but it’s not going to be easy,” he said.
“Denmark are not Ukraine. Before the Ukraine game I said it was no problem if Gareth decides to rest one of the lads in danger of suspension, no problem if Gareth decides to rest Harry Maguire because he comes from a big injury, I was completely convinced it was going to be an easy match.
“But this one, I keep singing, ‘it’s coming home’, but I will also say, ‘be careful, be careful’, because Denmark is a completely different game in terms of the level of opposition.”
Euro 2020
‘Playing better and better’ – Mourinho PRAISES Shaw
04/07/2021 AT 14:58
Euro 2020
Grealish has to start! – England must crush Ukraine to send message to Euro 2020 rivals
02/07/2021 AT 15:06
