Why do fans love Jack Grealish? England’s creative spark is a symbol of possibility
The attacker came on to change the flow of the game and help England progress past Germany
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The sound at Wembley, enveloped in ecstasy, sat on the skin. The exhilaration and much-needed abandon of a 45,000-strong crowd, all England sans the tiniest section adorned with Germany flags, had three particular high notes.
Two of those were prompted by the goalscorers Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane, with the other belonging to the introduction of the player who helped carve those openings.
If it hadn’t already been obvious before Tuesday night, via the opinions of pundits and football Twitter at large, the vibey song by The Manor in his honour, or the hot line by Stormzy in a remix of his song “Sore”, who also plumped for his shirt, Jack Grealish is the man the people want to see.
More than that, he is the man that represents hope, excitement, freedom, enjoyment.
As “Jack Grealish” was announced over the tannoy on 69 minutes to replace Bukayo Saka, England’s leading light of the first half, Wembley erupted.
“I just don’t get it,” a voice in the press box muttered. “He’s hardly even played for England. Why is everyone so mad about him?”
Grealish symbolises possibilities and they were alive once he came on – an awfully tense match was immediately enlivened.
He only had seven touches and six passes, but two of those ended in goals, which is precisely why he is so adored.
Even the anti-fun machine Roy Keane is hooked in, desperate for a greater injection of Grealish.
The swell of support to see him be given greater minutes ultimately speaks to how we crave the game to be played: stylishly aggressive and progressive with the intent to constantly make things happen.
As he has illustrated for an age in the colours of Aston Villa, Grealish is an elite-level attacker with creative metrics to rival – and surpass – the headline names in Europe.
Manchester City’s willingness to break the £100m-barrier to secure his game-changing ability is no great shock: the super clubs were always going to circle.
The myth about him being an individualist has been dismantled, replaced by the reality of the 25-year-old being a supreme individual that can unlock the potential of the collective.
England have navigated to a quarter-final through a risk-averse approach, but the verve of Raheem Sterling, Saka and Grealish has got them over the line in tight situations.
The audience are not going to stop calling for and crossing fingers that the latter is included in the starting line-up.
Who doesn’t want possibilities, hope, excitement, freedom and enjoyment?
Why would you not want more Grealish?
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments