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'Southgate had Grealish thrown at him - I don't think he wants him' | Harry Redknapp on OTB Sports

Harry Redknapp has told Off The Ball that he does not believe England manager Gareth Southgate is...



Harry Redknapp has told Off The Ball that he does not believe England manager Gareth Southgate is keen on Jack Grealish.

The former under-21 Republic of Ireland international declared for England in September 2015, but Redknapp believes that Southgate may not be looking to use him.

Speaking to OTB Sports' Cadbury FC roadshow, the former Tottenham and West Ham manager told us why.

Redknapp on Jack Grealish

"I don't think that Gareth fancies Grealish. It is his opinion and it is a game of opinions.

"I think that the worst thing to happen to Gareth, possibly, was Grealish coming here. I think he has had Grealish thrown at him, thrown at him, thrown at him.

"I don't think he is a big Grealish fan. He played him the other week against Wales, got man-of-the-match, and played ever so well.

"I think that Gareth would have been quite happy if he had had a nightmare and then - bosh, that's the end of Grealish.

"That is the feeling that I get - I don't think that he is for Gareth.

"The lad [Dean] Smith there has done well, and made him captain, made him feel important, and he runs the games for Villa.

"He is a special talent that can do things that other people can't do. I am a big fan of his, personally. I love people that can play - and he can play."

Glenn Hoddle on creativity

"I think we have got a little group of players like that. I love Grealish and feel that Grealish should be given his opportunity.

"When you are looking at players like Grealish, James Maddison, Phil Foden, and Mason Mount. There is one position and they are all going to be battling for it.

"Whoever [comes out of that] has to feel comfortable, they have to feel at home like Grealish does with his club.

"When he plays - or any of them play - for England, they are going to feel like there are chains on them. They are not sure if the manager fancies them.

"If you have these special players, as they do on the continent or South America, you have to let him go out in the training ground and on the pitch without any chains.

"That is very difficult when you don't have them day-in and day-out."

Does Jack fit in?

The last words go to Harry.

"In the long-term, I don't think that he is quite in Gareth's plans. I don't think that he fits what he is looking for," Redknapp concludes.

Keep an eye on OTBSports.com and all of our social channels for more from Harry Redknapp and Glenn Hoddle at the OTB Cadbury FC Roadshow

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Gareth Southgate Glenn Hoddle Grealish Harry Redknapp Hoddle Jack Grealish Redknapp Southgate