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The Aston Villa playmaker has been accused of dodging his responsibility as a senior player, but he said the decision was out of his control
Jack Grealish hit back at those accusing him of not intervening as England needed experience and composure in a Euro 2020 final penalty shootout with Italy.
The Three Lions, in their first international showpiece since 1966, saw a meeting with the Azzurri at Wembley Stadium ended in penalties after 120 minutes of action and a 1-1 draw.
Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all swelled their lines, with questions being asked as to why the pressure was on the shoulders of late substitutes and teenage stars.
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What was said?
Fingers were pointed in the direction of Grealish, as an offensive talent with more than enough ability to convert from 12 yards, but he claims to have volunteered when Gareth Southgate searched for a list of five takers.
The Aston Villa captain posted on social media: “Said I wanted to grab one !!!!
“The gaffer made so many great decisions throughout this tournament and he did it tonight!
“But I won’t let people say I didn’t want to take a peno when I said I would.”
The bigger picture
Grealish has never taken a penalty for Villa at senior level, but that’s only because alternative options have always been favored.
He is a confident character and would have supported himself to deliver on the greatest of sporting stages.
He was denied that opportunity with England suffering a 3-2 defeat as Gianluigi Donnarumma proved to be a hero for Italy.
Jordan Pickford avoided two Italian penalties, but his efforts ultimately counted for nothing as the Three Lions saw 55 years of injury stretch into next year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Further reading
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