Pep Guardiola’s comment after the domestic season acknowledged the uphill battle Jack Grealish was facing to make the England squad, regardless of the shock it’s caused
Jack Grealish’s Euro 2024 snub has left rivals Germany stunned – but Pep Guardiola may have foreseen it.
Grealish was left out of Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad after a difficult season at Manchester City. He started just 10 Premier League games and registered a mere six goal contributions across all competitions.
Nevertheless, his exclusion from the plane to Germany was notable, with Southgate opting to take the likes of Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon instead, despite a player who has been an important member of his squad in recent years.
The move has left several Germany players “stunned” – with Die Mannschaft’s camp viewing Grealish as a player who “provokes fear in opposition when he runs at them” – according to the Independent – and thus having expected him to make the cut.
But Guardiola recognised there was a decision for Southgate to make regarding Grealish after the FA Cup final, admitting. “He’s struggled this season.”
He went on to back him to return to his best, adding: “Jeremy [Doku] has made an incredible step forward as everyone has seen in the last games. But Jack will be back at the level of last season – I’m pretty sure.”
Unfortunately for Grealish, it won’t be at the Euros that he does that. Southgate admitted it was his form, or lack thereof, that let him down compared to his competitors.