It’s fair to say that Jack Grealish hasn’t been enjoying the best of times lately.
The promising Aston Villa youngster has been garnering a lot of headlines, but unfortunately they have been more for his off-field activities than anything he’s done on a pitch.
The 21-year-old was handed a suspension by his club for his involvement in an “all-night party” at a Birmingham hotel a week before they were due to take on Newcastle United and last summer, a photograph of him looking worse for wear during a holiday in Tenerife went viral.
Former Villa striker Stan Collymore is so concerned that Grealish may be squandering his gifts as a footballer that he wrote an open letter to the youngster urging him to get his act together.
Words of advice from Stan Collymore https://t.co/WgBMYIncuz
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 21, 2016
Grealish is set to start for England Under 21s in their final European Championship qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Walsall on Tuesday. Interim manager Aidy Boothroyd addressed his off-field issues ahead of the game.
“It is important that he gets back on the horse and doesn’t wallow in the issues. He doesn’t wallow too long in anything. He is upbeat, has plenty to say, has a lovely personality. He is playing for his country and he has to make sure he stays in this group.”
Boothroyd admitted he was impressed with the work-load Grealish has put in since rejoining with the U21s and he has faith in his ability to move on from his past problems.
“He’s been brilliant, he’s a terrific guy and we’ve had no problems whatsoever.”
“He comes in, trains and the past is the past. It’s about dealing with the present and focusing on the future. He is training hard, working well and we move on.”
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