Christian Fuchs tips Demarai Gray to play for England
Former Leicester City left-back Christian Fuchs has tipped Everton new signing Demarai Gray to play for England following his Goodison Park move.
Fuchs and the attacking midfielder played together at the King Power Stadium, winning the Premier League title in 2015-16.
Gray left the Foxes in January for Bayer Leverkusen, but is back in England six months later and looking to revive his career with the Toffees.
The 25-year-old was a regular for the young Three Lions, but has never earned a call-up to the senior national team.
Fuchs believes the Everton new signing has what it takes to break into Gareth Southgate’s squad as long as he works hard.
“If he keeps consistency in his game, I have no doubt about Demarai Gray being a regular starter in any team in the Premier League,” the Charlotte FC defender told evertonfc.com.
“He has those qualities and the talent is there. He grew into his role with Leicester and became a much better player during those years. He did well making the move to Germany, getting out of his comfort zone and experiencing a different league and environment. I think that matured him.
“Now, being back in England, at a great club, there is a lot for Everton to look forward to with Demarai. If I tell you he can play in any team in England, then he can play for England. Absolutely.
“It is down to him. The potential is there, now it is about putting his potential on the pitch, in games and in training, week in, week out.”
Without a doubt
Gray played 38 times during his time with the England under-18s, under-19s, under-20s and under-21s, and now has to aim to become a member of the senior side.
He has never been on the verge of earning a call-up as he has struggled with consistency, but a move to Everton could earn him that chance.
On his day, Gray is a brilliant and eye-catching attacker, and has shown us what he is capable of doing during the pre-season tour of the U.S.A.
Now he needs to show the Premier League that he can fulfil his potential.
We believe that manager Rafa Benitez is the right boss to bring out the best in him, but all the work hard is his to do.
Fuchs saw Gray in training for five years and knows what he is talking about.
He often showed flashes of his talents in the Leicester colours, and now has to do it in Everton’s every game.
Breaking into England’s star-studded squad is not for the weak, and Gray really has to be one of the best wingers in the Premier League next season to have a chance of attracting Southgate’s attention ahead of the World Cup.
It is a department where the country boasts of a lot of talents, and we are eager to see whether he is up to the task.
In other Everton news, Benitez wants Brazilian ace at Goodison Park, club scouting him at Olympics.
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