After making a late run for the Northern Ireland squad, Will Grigg didn’t put a foot wrong at Euro 2016.
Admittedly that’s because he didn’t get a single minute on the pitch, as coach Michael O’Neill opted for Josh Magennis as his preferred attacking option from the bench, but we believe in the Wigan frontman.
Grigg’s flame has burned so bright over the summer that Europe has sat up and taken notice. And sure enough, the former MK Dons star made the longlist for the crown of the continent’s best footballer.
After each of Uefa’s member nations nominated players for the 2015/16 award, just 37 of the 275 nominees received votes.
Grigg was among them. And, while he may have missed out on the top 10 and a chance to progress to the final three, he came in level with none other than Manchester United target Paul Pogba.
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Does this mean Grigg is worth the £100m that United have reportedly been quoted for the Frenchman? We’re no mathematicians, but yes. Definitely yes.
He also earned more votes than Manchester City record signing Kevin de Bruyne. Before you pipe up with soundbites about ‘different positions’ or ‘joke votes’ or ‘I can’t believe you’re still running with this, it’s fucking July’, I think we can say with confidence that City wasted their money.
Of course, all this is a distraction from the real headline: Pepe – yes, that Pepe – is considered one of the best 10 footballers in Europe.
