In this modern-day, sanitised era of football, the role of the swaggering, free-thinking maverick has been sadly diminished.
Ask our experts all week through to Cyber Monday for their tailored advice
While the likes of Rodney Marsh, George Best and Robin Friday used to dazzle supporters back in the day, a combination of risk aversion, surging professionalism and athleticism means that it is harder than ever for these cult heroes to succeed in the contemporary footballing environment.
Paul Gascoigne was a classic of this genre, a player who could do things on the pitch that most other players could only dream of. And while there will never be another Gazza, there is one player in the current England set-up that reminds him of himself.
Gazza on Jack Grealish
That would be a certain Jack Grealish, the Manchester City loanee who is spending the current season on loan at Everton as he looks to get his career back on track following a pair of seasons where he has struggled with fitness and form.
“It doesn’t matter if he loses the ball, he always wants it again,” Gascogine tells FourFourTwo when asked why Grealish reminds him of himself.
“He’s handsome as well! It amazes me when managers put him sub, because he’s always dangerous.”
Grealish was born five years after Gazza’s spellbinding Italia 90 performances and was yet to celebrate his first birthday when the former Spurs and Lazio star scored his brilliant goal against Scotland at Euro 96, but Grealish has often said that Gazza is his hero.
When the 30-year-old joined Everton on loan in the summer, he opted for the no.18 shirt, partly inspired by Gascoigne wearing it during his time with the Toffees.
“Yeah I saw that, I think Wayne Rooney had that number as well,” Gazza says. “I heard one of the commentators say it and thought, ‘Oh, that’s nice of him.’ Everton’s a good club, I enjoyed it when I was there.”
Grealish will be hoping his bright start to his stint on Merseyside will help him in his quest to return to the England squad ahead of next summer’s World Cup, and he certainly has the backing of his idol.
“Definitely, and I think he’ll make it,” Gazza replies when asked if the £100million man will be on the plane at the end of the season. “I can’t see him not going, because he’s always going to be a threat.”
Like Gazza, Grealish has delivered at major tournaments before, most notably at Euro 2020. “It’s funny, because I met him in the corridor after an England game and said, ‘Are you going home to rest now?’” Gazza remembers, having bumped into Grealish following a match against North Macedonia in June 2023.
“He said, ‘No, I’m going to Las Vegas on the drink,’ and I started laughing. I said, ‘You’ve got potential, mate!’ And he just laughed. I like it when players have a little laugh and a joke, but still perform.”
Paul Gascoigne: Eight (published by Reach Sport) is on sale now in print, ebook and audiobook
