Manchester City star Jack Grealish was one of the seven unfortunate players to make Gareth Southgate’s preliminary Euro 2024 squad but miss out on a place in the final 26
Jack Grealish has been putting in the hours on an empty training ground after missing out on a place in England’s European Championships squad.
Manchester City star Grealish hoped he’d played himself into contention – despite a tough club season – when he showed some flashes of quality in England’s pre-tournament friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina. It wasn’t to be, though, with the former Aston Villa star perhaps the highest-profile omission when international boss Gareth Southgate trimmed his squad to 26 from an initial 33.
While England’s squad have been labouring in Germany, narrowly beating Serbia and then drawing with Denmark, Grealish has been in Italy. The 28-year-old has shared footage on Instagram which shows him training alone at Juventus’ facilities as he looks to put the disappointment behind him.
Sharing a video to the social media platform, Grealish revealed he had been training as temperatures hit 25 degrees at 8pm. Boards in the background of the video make it out as part of Juve’s facilities, with the playmaker due to return to Manchester for pre-season later this summer.
“I was shocked because I know what Jack can do,” Grealish’s club and international team-mate Kyle Walker told ITV of the star’s omission. “[But] was I shocked because of the players that he [Southgate] has brought in? 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 say he could have had a better season. I think he’s come out publicly and said he could have had a better season. So what does a manager base it on? Form or people that he knows have had good tournaments or a good season the season before?
“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.”
Despite missing out on the squad, Grealish has still been rooting for the Three Lions. Ahead of the opening game against Serbia, he shared a teamsheet graphic with the message “Good luck to the lads”.
England won that game 1-0 through an early Jude Bellingham effort, but could only draw 1-1 with Denmark in the second group match. While they’re still favourites to progress, some have questioned the decision to leave Grealish [and others] at home.
“Taking a bit of stick after last night, can’t help but feel the hard work from previous tournaments has been wasted,” former England midfielder Paul Scholes wrote on social media after the first group game. “Some brilliantly talented young players but it feels like more of a U21 squad than a senior one.
“[Marcus] Rashford or Grealish coming on for 20/30 minutes at the end brings speed or ball retention, don’t think we had either. Anyway, fingers crossed they improve and win it.”
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