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Nations League | League B

Oct 13, 2024 at 5pm UK

Helsingin olympiastadion

Finland
1 - 3
England

Hoskonen (87')

FT(HT: 0-1)

Grealish (18'), Alexander-Arnold (74'), Rice (84')

Jack Grealish: Why England and Man City are "more complete and whole" with "confident" attacker at his best

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter

Published: October 14 2024 | 17:25

Last updated: October 14 2024 | 17:26

Man City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany explains to Sports Mole why both the Citizens and England will become "more complete and whole" when Jack Grealish is performing at his best.

Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes both the Citizens and England will become "more complete and whole" when Jack Grealish is performing at his best.

Grealish has made an impressive response to his Euro 2024 snub by Gareth Southgate in the summer and has performed well for the Three Lions under the tutelage of interim head coach Lee Carsley.

Last month, the 29-year-old started in both of England's opening two UEFA Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, scoring against the former in a 2-0 away victory.

Grealish was not involved in England's surprise 2-1 defeat at home to Greece last Thursday due to a minor knock, but he returned to the starting lineup away against Finland on Sunday and scored the opening goal in a 3-1 win - his second strike in three Nations League games.

Carsley was full of praise for Grealish after the match in Helsinki, telling ITV: "Jack was outstanding tonight. It was a shame he missed the first game; he would've been really effective against Greece.

"I wish I could fast forward and play Greece next week... Jack was very good, an infectious character. Really pleased for him!"

Jack Grealish has returned to form for England on October 14, 2024 © Imago

'Man City, England will benefit when Grealish is at his best'

Grealish struggled to fine his best form for Man City last season, which ultimately led to Southgate's decision to omit him from the England squad for Euro 2024, but the versatile attacker has since turned up in recent weeks for club and country.

McInerney has labelled Grealish as "the main winner" from Man City over October's international break, lauding his "very unique set of skills", and believes that the attacker - who recently became a father - is now regaining his confidence.

However, McInerney has also suggested that Grealish needs to "find the best version" of himself again if he wishes to maintain his impressive form for club and country.

"Jack Grealish seems to be in really good form right now," McInerney told Sports Mole. "He really impressed against Finland.

"I think it's easier to play for England than it is for Manchester City sometimes for Jack Grealish. There's definitely a bit more space behind the Finnish defence than there is in most Premier League teams obviously, but he's looking confident right now.

"Of course, he recently became a father as well. He's got a lot going for him at the start of the season. He seems to be confident again.

"I think it's fair to say last year wasn't a particularly fruitful one for Jack Grealish. He was in and out of the team an awful lot with injuries and form. [Jeremy] Doku was ahead of him as [Pep] Guardiola chose his trickery instead, but Grealish is 29 years old now. He's a dad as well. He's got to kick on and find the best version of Jack Grealish again.

"I think Lee Carsley has been really freeing for Jack Grealish. He's given him an awful lot of faith. He trusts him and I do feel when Jack Grealish is at his very best, City and England are so much more complete and whole. I think Grealish brings a very unique set of skills. I think he's been the main winner (for City over the international break)."

James McAtee celebrates scoring for England Under-21s on October 11, 2024 © Imago

"His confidence is rising" - McInerney hails McAtee's character

Grealish has been one of several standout Man City performers on international duty, along with academy star James McAtee, who scored two late goals for England Under-21s in a 2-1 comeback victory over Ukraine last week.

McInerney believes that McAtee's ability to turn up and perform for England following a difficult few days mourning the tragic loss of former Sheffield United teammate George Baldock - who died at the age of just 31 last Wednesday - is testament to his character.

"I do think there are signs of McAtee finding his confidence again," said McInerney. "I'm a big advocate of James McAtee.

"[He scored for City] in the Champions League recently and now a couple of very important goals (for England) with a really touching message of course to his ex-colleague George Baldock who passed away... His goals, and of course that message to his former colleague, they show where his head's at. It takes an awful lot to put in that performance for the Under-21s when someone close to him has passed away.

"I think this shows an awful lot of character from James McAtee and I do feel his confidence is rising. I think you can visibly see that he feels that he belongs at Manchester City and a couple of goals for England Under-21s to win the match and send that message... I think it was a big moment for him.

"I think personally and emotionally, I do think those things can have an impact on a player's season and where they're heading. I think it was a really important international break for James McAtee."

Both McAtee and Grealish will soon return to Man City ahead of preparing for the club's next Premier League match away against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.