I did see him in his pomp, but his pomp was about 50 games. He was all but finished at 25.
As you say, the majority of his career he either battled his demons or injury.
I’m 41 and love football, so as a kid he was one of my idols. But let’s not pretend the talent he did have was completely waisted.
Football was t on tv much, so Gazza and Lineker were my hero’s. Along with the likes of David White, Hendry, Quinn, Redmond & Lake. The players I got to see every week.
Not sure how Gazza and Grealish are being discussed on the same page, as I don’t see any similarities at all really.
I think a bit like many other players who’s career was cut short people look back with a bit of tinted revisionism. He was a bright light in a dull and collapsing league devoid of overseas talent in the main, one game a week on tv if we were lucky and he shone in a pivotal world cup.
My point is, his talent was world class at best brilliant at worst, but the guy was a total prick undeserving of the adulation he’s afforded.