Former Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood has criticised England for overlooking Jack Grealish, claiming that they have missed the boat on the 24-year-old midfielder.
Grealish has been integral for Villa since their return to the Premier League, scoring two goals and contributing three assists in his 10 appearances so far in the top-flight.
England boss Gareth Southgate stated ahead of the current international break that Grealish was 'very close' to making the squad but he is still waiting for a senior call-up.
With the Three Lions now sealing their spot at next summer's European Championship, England have just two friendlies in March before the squad for the tournament is announced and Sherwood is concerned that it is now too late for Grealish to participate next summer.
“I think they’ve missed the boat with him, to be honest. I think in these last few games he should have been [in the squad]. I know he has been an injury but I’m not sure he would have been called up anyway,” he told TalkSport.
“You’ve got two friendlies in March and I think that could be a bit late for Jack. 100%, they’ve missed the boat on him. The ball is his friend, he is something different.
“I love Mason Mount, I think he’s got goals, he gets himself the ball and he runs with it a lot. I like James Maddison, he’s got good awareness and can see a pass, can score a few goals, but Jack takes the ball to the opposition right to the heart of them.
“He dribbles like Paul Gascoigne, he’s got a long way to go until he reaches that level, but if he was surrounded by the great, young international players that we’ve got there at the moment, I think we’ve missed a trick because this kid is special.
“He creates a melee, always has three or four players around him, he’s the most fouled player in every league he’s ever played in, but he sees the pass and he releases it at the right time.
“Yes he’s got to add more goals to his game, he won’t ever score as many goals as Mason Mount will, but what he does is release players in freedom because he creates such a crowd around him.
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“He’s quicker with the ball than he is without it, that’s a mindset. If we’re out of possession, yes he needs to get himself back around, but if England are playing with a number six and two eights, I’d definitely be playing him.
“I’d be playing Mount and Grealish either side of Harry Winks at the moment.”
