Report: Gareth Southgate keeping ‘very close tabs’ on Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish

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England manager Gareth Southgate is reportedly closely monitoring Jack Grealish ahead of a potential international call-up.

According to the Daily Mail, Southagte is keeping “very close tabs” on the 24-year-old and he’s in line for a first ever senior call-up to the England squad.

The report explains that the attacking midfielder was “very close” to being named in the previous squad back in November.

England’s next set of internationals come in March agains Italy and Denmark as they prepare towards the summer’s European Championships, and Grealish is on the radar of Southgate.

Grealish is yet to earn a first senior international cap, but there are many who believe it’s long overdue given his influence at club level.

The playmaker has been in excellent form this season for Villa, scoring eight goals and supplying six assists in 23 games across all competitions.

TBR’s View:

Grealish is the outstanding player at Villa right now and their hopes of surviving in the Premier League rest heavily on his shoulders.

His versatility to play as a left-winger or a more central playmaker should make him an attractive option for Southgate, while he’s technically superb too.

The Villa captain would bring something different to the England fold with his direct dribbling and he looks good enough to make the step up.

He needs to continue his individual form over the next few months and make it impossible for Southgate to leave him out of the England squad.