Ahead of England's Nations League fixtures against Italy and Germany, Jack Grealish discusses his Manchester City form, pressure from the media, his relationship with Pep Guardiola, "very harsh" criticism of Gareth Southgate and more; England face Italy on Friday and Germany on Monday
Thursday 22 September 2022 16:28, UK
Jack Grealish says England are "aware" of the threat of Nations League relegation but insists the squad are embracing the challenge ahead of their final two games before the World Cup.
England will be relegated if they lose Friday's San Siro clash against Italy before taking on old foes Germany on Monday - the final match of their last camp before the World Cup gets under way in November.
"I think for us, it's something we're obviously aware of, but something that we're all embracing," Grealish said.
"Especially, I'm not going to speak for the manager, but I'm sure he's got certain players that are 100 per cent to go to the World Cup, and then there's obviously certain places and numbers that are still up for grabs. We're just all training as normal.
"We have two matches now that are going to be very tough opposition and this is really like your pre-World Cup camp.
"We were saying before that before the Euros we had a good few weeks of training sessions, good friendlies, and we're not going to get that this time.
"But everyone's in the same boat, so it's something that we need to embrace and look forward to."
When A3 was drawn, Hungary quickly appeared to be the favourites to finish bottom of this highly-competitive group, but Marco Rossi's side have collected seven points from their first four games and currently sit top of the table.
Hungary's most recent fixture saw them pull off a shock 4-0 win over England at Wembley in June. Their game against Germany in Leipzig on Friday will be crucial, with the winners knowing another victory on the final matchday on Monday will guarantee them a spot in the finals.
Italy are just two points behind Hungary and face them in Budapest next week, meaning the European champions are very much still in contention in Group A3.
The only team that cannot reach the finals are England, who are winless and face a tough task to avoid the ignominy of relegation to League B for the first time.
Defeat to Italy on Friday will confirm relegation for Gareth Southgate's team, who realistically must win in Milan and at home to Germany on Monday if they want to stay up.
Grealish believes criticism of England boss Gareth Southgate in the summer was "very harsh" given the success he has enjoyed during his time in charge.
While the nation is still searching for a first senior men's trophy since 1966, England have never been closer to matching Sir Alf Ramsey's heroes than the last two major tournaments.
Southgate led England on a run to the World Cup semi-finals four years ago that was as surprising as it was unforgettable, before last summer bringing the country within a penalty shootout of Euro 2020 glory.
But the former defender has never strayed far from criticism and came under fire after a challenging four-game Nations League slog in June ended with a 4-0 Molineux mauling by unfancied Hungary.
"I think it was harsh," Grealish said of the reaction to Southgate.
"We reached the final last year and then the Hungary game (we lost 1-0) at the start of the last camp, I think before that the last time we'd lost a game over 90 minutes was maybe Belgium in November 2020 or something.
"So, I think it is very harsh, especially (as you saw at) the World Cup and the Euros of how well the team done and the manager himself.
"I thought it was obviously harsh but sometimes that's what you get if you're English. I've certainly had my fair share!"
Grealish has been quick to ingratiate himself with England fans since making his debut in September 2020, but the fact 11 of his 23 caps have come as a substitute underlines the work needed to step up.
"I'd love to be (starting) but then again I know what an impact I can bring from the bench," he added. "I'm not going to sit here and say, 'that's what I am - someone who just comes on'.
"I started one game in the Euros and got an assist, which I was over the moon about.
"The manager's the manager and if he and his staff decide to play me, I'll give my all and also if I'm on the bench, I'm ready to come on as an impact sub."
November 21: Iran (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan) - kick-off 1pm
November 25: USA (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor) - kick-off 7pm
November 29: Wales (Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan) - kick-off 7pm
Gareth Southgate has unveiled his final pre-World Cup England squad - but who would make your starting XI?
What would your England starting XI look like if the World Cup started today and all players were available? Use our interactive selector to pick your team below, screenshot your selections and share on Twitter @SkyFootball.
Grealish admits he hasn't been at his best since joining Manchester City but insists he handles the pressure well and has a "great relationship" with Pep Guardiola.
The 27-year-old was already in the spotlight before last summer's £100m move to the Premier League champions from Aston Villa, but the attention on the England international has only intensified since.
Grealish scored his first goal of the season in Saturday's 3-0 victory at Wolves and despite winning the title during his first year in Manchester, he admits his form needs to improve.
"I think I deal with pressure well, but I do feel like I can start playing a lot better," Grealish said at an England press conference ahead of a Nations League double-header against Italy and Germany.
"I probably haven't been playing at the top of my game since I've moved to City, but I think I've shown glimpses of it and over the next two months especially, I'm just going to try to get my head down as much as I can, work so hard and hopefully good things will happen."
Since his big-money transfer from Villa Park to the Etihad, Grealish says he has had to adapt to a change of culture but stressed his relationship with City boss Guardiola is a positive one.
"It's completely different to the way it was at Villa. I think at Villa I was more free," he said.
"At City, there's more structure. I have a great relationship with the manager. I've said in so many interviews I have never seen anything like it in the way he thinks and the way he looks at football.
"He's just obsessed with it and you can tell why and see why. I know people might be saying I might be playing a bit different from the way I used to but I think that comes with the players I am playing with as well.
"I was captain at Villa and one of the first names on the teamsheet. When you come to City - and this is no disrespect to Villa - you have players like Kevin [De Bruyne], Phil [Foden], I could go on and on.
"We've even got a full-back at the moment in Joao Cancelo who I reckon is one of the best wingers in the world. It's obviously different and it's difficult at times.
"I am playing with so many top players, it was obviously going to change my game a bit. I'm never going to be the exact same player that I was because I am playing for a different club, a different team and a different manager. Hopefully, This is the start of my season and I can just kick on from here."
After City's 3-0 win at Molineux on Saturday, Kevin De Bruyne suggested English players like Grealish are unfairly targeted because of the nation's mentality of criticising their own.
The Belgium international's viewpoint was put to Grealish, who smiled and replied: "I'll ask you, do you?"
When the reporter said he agreed, the City star said with a laugh: "I don't know - I want to be friends with you all!
"I can obviously see where he's coming from a little bit. But I think that's just the way it is in this country, especially if you're myself, playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, who are winning trophies every single year.
"And obviously when I have the price tag on my head that I have, people are going to want to talk. It's just something that I need to (get on with).
"I keep going back to it, saying embrace it and it's just part and parcel, really. But, yeah, I do see where he's coming from a little bit."
"I think for us, it's something we're obviously aware of, but something that we're all embracing," Grealish said.
"Especially, I'm not going to speak for the manager, but I'm sure he's got certain players that are 100 per cent to go to the World Cup, and then there's obviously certain places and numbers that are still up for grabs. We're just all training as normal.
"We have two matches now that are going to be very tough opposition and this is really like your pre-World Cup camp.
"We were saying before that before the Euros we had a good few weeks of training sessions, good friendlies, and we're not going to get that this time.
"But everyone's in the same boat, so it's something that we need to embrace and look forward to."
