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Jack Grealish reacts to comparisons with England icon Paul Gascoigne

Jack Grealish, Paul Gascoigne, England
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The Aston Villa skipper had another fine game for England to fuel comparisons with the iconic ‘Gazza’.

Jack Grealish welcomed the comparisons between him and Paul Gascoigne after another impressive performance for England on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old built on his impressive outing in Belgium last weekend by delivering another dazzling display against Iceland. He won the free-kick which led to England’s opener and constantly troubled the visitors’ defense.

It was his third consecutive start in Gareth Southgate’s line-up as the Three Lions romped to a 4-0 win at Wembley for their last Nations League game.

Grealish’s growing importance is becoming more evident, with many hailing his ‘fearless’ approach. In fact, he has been described as ‘England’s best maverick attacking talent’ since the iconic Gascoigne.

“I thrive off those kinds of comparisons,” Grealish on the ‘Gazza’ comparisons as quoted by Sky Sports.

“I love the way he played football with all the freedom and all the joy… I want to entertain people but I always want to be effective on the pitch like Gazza was too.”

Grealish is somewhat of a late bloomer, despite emerging in the Premier League at a young age. In fact, he only made his senior debut for England in September during a 0-0 Nations League draw in Denmark.

The midfielder has also had his fair share of late-night incidents over the years but insists he is ready to handle the increased exposure.

“I think I’m now old enough and wise enough to handle that [pressure] now,” said Grealish.

“As you get older, you learn you are a hero to a lot of people and you are a role model. I’ve got to take it in my stride, and I’m just loving my life.”

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