The midfielder was born in the UK but his career was made in America. As the US game struggles on the world stage fans need all the comfort they can get
Has a call-up to the England Under-21 squad ever caused such a stir? When news broke on Sunday that Jack Harrison had been selected for Aidy Boothroyd’s squad, some of the game’s greats were quick to praise the New York City FC winger for his belated international recognition. “So happy for you,” Frank Lampard wrote on Instagram. “Top man, you deserve it and more.” David Villa went one step further. “Congrats golden boy,” the Spain World Cup winner eulogized on Twitter. “You deserve it, Jack! We are proud of you!”
That Lampard and Villa have played alongside Harrison in Major League Soccer League is, of course, hugely relevant to their comments but players of their pedigree don’t heap such praise on just anyone. Game recognize game, as they say. “I’ve spent a lot of years in this game, and he has something important that only a few players have,” Villa said of Harrison last summer. “When he has the ball at his feet, you get the sensation something is going to happen.”
Related: Jack Harrison: from Manchester United to No1 draft pick and Yankee Stadium
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