One of the England players not participating in this summer’s Euro 2024 is Jack Grealish.
The Manchester City player was excluded off Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man roster earlier this month along with James Maddison, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Harry Maguire.
Included in the first 33-man provisional roster, the former Aston Villa player even contributed an assist during the pregame match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
But the winger did not make the final cut for the flight to Germany with the Three Lions in quarter-final action vs Switzerland today.
Why isn’t Jack Grealish playing for England at Euro 2024?
Grealish played a key role in City’s Treble campaign during the 2022-23 season but struggled to make a significant impact as Pep Guardiola’s side defended their crown last season.
City teammate Phil Foden and Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon have moved ahead of him in the England pecking order with Cole Palmer and Eze Eberechi emerging as potent attacking options.
In short, Grealish’s performances for City this season did not merit a spot in the final squad.
‘All the players took the decisions respectfully and all the players believe they should be in, that’s why they’re all top players with that mindset,’ Southgate said.
‘We have some players that have performed extremely well this season and other players have had stronger seasons.
‘In the attacking positions we’re blessed with a lot of options and Madders and Jack give us something different.
‘They were tough calls, but we back our decisions but recognise we could’ve gone a different route. It was sad to have to deliver that news to them.’
‘The fact is we’ve got some players who have been playing extremely well all season in the league and we just feel other players have had stronger seasons – particularly in the past six months or so.
‘Jack [Grealish] would have provided us with something different as well and they’ve been tough calls.
‘They’re calls we’ve gone over and over and over as a group of staff to try to be fair and to try to use the right rationale.
‘We back our decisions but we recognise we could have gone a different route. The boys are big characters, fabulous team-mates and great boys to work with.
‘It’s sad to have to deliver that news to them.’
Has Jack Grealish said anything about his England omission?
Grealish has not yet spoken publicly on his absence from the England side this summer but his City teammate Kyle Walker admitted it was ‘not a shock’ given the level of competition within the squad.
Was it surprising to me that Jack was left out? I’m shocked as I am aware of Jack’s abilities. Did the players that he [Southgate] has brought in surprise me? Walker stated in an interview with ITV Sport, “No, because I think they’re all at a great quality and they’ve all had fantastic seasons.”
‘I think Jack would be the first one to acknowledge he could have had a better season. I believe he has acknowledged in public that this season should have been better. What then does a management use as a basis? Form or individuals he is acquainted with have successful competitions or seasons prior?
‘You’re here on merit. And I believe it should always be like that. You’re in this team because you’ve played well for your club which then puts you into the England fold.’