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Mason Greenwood is ‘the real deal’ and MUST be named in England’s Euro 2020 squad, insists Adrian Durham as Drive host is left stunned by call questioning Man United ace’s inclusion
Adrian Durham has made no secret of his admiration for Manchester United starlet Mason Greenwood in the past.
Greenwood, 19, has been included in Gareth Southgate's 33-man provisional England squad for Euro 2020 after a blistering end to the season.
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The youngster scored eight times in his last 13 appearances to earn a welcome reprieve from Three Lions boss Southgate.
Greenwood landed himself in hot water with Southgate last September after being sent home from international duty, along with Phil Foden, for breaching COVID-19 regulations at the team hotel in Iceland.
Greenwood, who was not selected for international duty in March, has been told by Southgate 'the past is absolutely in the past' following his previous indiscretions as his bids to be named in his final 26-man squad.
But not everyone is a big fan of Greenwood, with West Ham fan James expressing his shock at the forward's admission on Tuesday's Drive.
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"I was a little bit surprised about Mason Greenwood being in the squad, just in the sense he hasn't been a world beater this season. I don't really think he's lived up all the hype..."
Drive co-host Darren Gough responded: "He has done the last eight or nine weeks, I think he's been pretty special!
James added: "He's had his moments. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he's a bad player... but look at players like Michail Antonio for instance.
"If it wasn't for the fact of his injuries he probably would have overshadowed Greenwood and can play pretty much everywhere."
Durham couldn't quite believe what he was hearing and launched a staunch defence of Greenwood's inclusion - insisting that he simply must be included in Southgate's Euro 2020 squad.
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"I'm amazed. Antonio has been a bit unlucky - I'll give you that," Durham explained.
"But I'm looking at Mason Greenwood, the talent he's got, the way he plays, what he brings... wow I'm amazed that somebody is thinking he shouldn't be in this conversation.
"He's had goal involvements galore, I know stats divide people and some people go with them.
"Premier League goal involvements for Mason Greenwood? 17. That's the second highest of any player under the age of 21 - Phil Foden is obviously first.
"But he's ahead of any foreign Under-21 player like [Kai] Havertz, [Ferran] Torres. His figures stand up at the end of the day
"But even like me if you watch how a player plays, Mason Greenwood is absolutely the real deal.
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"It's frightening to think how good he could be in about five years time, it blows my mind.
"He's made over 100 appearances already for Man United. This kid is the real deal. I believe he has to be in the 26-man squad."
And Aston Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor was in full agreement with Durham when giving his reaction to Southgate's provisional squad on talkSPORT 2.
Greenwood has been picked over the likes of Danny Ings and Patrick Bamford for Gareth Southgate's provisional 33-man squad.
“If Harry Kane was to get injured, I'm going to play Greenwood as a striker," Agbonlahor said.
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“If the ball drops in that box, there's only one person you want there other than Kane, and that's Greenwood.
“He's proved that in his last ten games, every shot on target, in the corner, right foot or left foot, that's what you need in tournaments.
“If you need a goal in the last ten minutes, who are you bringing on? Greenwood. You're not bringing on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
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“For me, it makes sense to take Greenwood. He's been fearless since he got into that Man United side.
“He'll take shots when he could pass to Marcus Rashford or Bruno Fernandes, because he's got that good arrogance about him.”
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