‘To stay at Villa has possibly got him into the England squad’: Dion Dublin lauds Jack Grealish after shining against Wales as he jokes star’s new deal is the ‘biggest signing’ his old club have made since he arrived in 1998
- Jack Grealish was the subject of heavy transfer speculation during the summer
- The 25-year-old stayed at Aston Villa and has made a fantastic start this season
- Grealish shone during his first start for England in their 3-0 win over Wales
Dion Dublin has praised Jack Grealish after his man of the match performance during England’s 3-0 victory over Wales.
The Aston Villa captain made his first start for the national team, and provided an assist for Dominic Calvert-Lewin who scored his first goal on his England debut.
And former Villa striker Dublin says Grealish staying at his boyhood club, might have helped him break into the England set-up.
Jack Grealish was awarded man of the match for his display as England beat Wales 3-0
Grealish made his first start and provided an assist for Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Dublin told Football Focus: ‘(He’s) just an intelligent footballer. You can see he’s getting his head down now.
‘I think for him to stay at Villa has possibly got him into the England squad because if he had gone somewhere else and maybe not have figured as much, massive decision.
‘Biggest signing Villa have made in many many years, since 1998 I think it was.’
Grealish was subject of heavy transfer speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United.
It came after the 25-year-old helped Villa retain their Premier League status on the final day of last season.
Manchester United were priced out of a move for Grealish however, with his club valuing their star-man at £80m.
Dion Dublin joked Jack Grealish’s new deal was Villa’s best signing since he joined back in 1998
Dublin added that he felt Grealish staying at Villa is beneficial to his hopes of making the team
Grealish committed his future to the team last month, signing a new five-year deal.
His contract contained a significant pay rise and also a bigger buy-out clause than his last contract which was to expire in 2023.
The 25-year-old has had a fantastic start to the season, starring in Villa’s staggering 7-2 thrashing of champions Liverpool.
So far he has scored three goals and provided the same amount of assists in as many games.
Dublin was a hugely successful signing at Villa, scoring 48 goals in 155 appearances from 1998 to 2004.
