The case for Jack Grealish, England super sub after match-saving Germany cameo

Jack Grealish has become a connoisseur of dugouts. He can compare the Bernabeu with the Wanda Metropolitano, the Allianz Arena with the Puskas Arena, Wembley with Old Trafford, the Etihad with the Emirates. He has begun on the bench at all this season. He became the first £100million man to win the Premier League on an afternoon when he had a view of Pep Guardiola’s back: he was an unused substitute in the final-day win over Aston Villa.

One of his most famous appearances for England both began and ended on the bench: he was the substitute who was substituted in the Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark, removed so others could protect a lead. Fast forward a year and in Munich Grealish took up his now familiar position behind Gareth Southgate. But when England were behind, he was brought on and he brought them back into the game.

Not directly. It would have been a fairer reflection of his influence had Harry Kane converted an enticing cross; instead Manuel Neuer made a superlative save and the equaliser actually came from the penalty spot when Nico Schlotterbeck tripped the England captain as each chased another Grealish centre.

He did not get an assist but he was the game-changer. If England scarcely merited a draw, Grealish nonetheless conjured one. Kane emerged as a threat with Grealish as his sidekick. His easy confidence produced a willingness to run at defenders, his magnetism drew the ball to him, his enthusiasm became infectious. He has accepted he has been too safe in possession at times in a Manchester City shirt. He had a pass completion rate of just 71 percent in the Allianz Arena but he was a picture of positivity, unafraid to take on Germany, talented enough to trouble their defenders. Perhaps it was the