Jack Grealish was only in the starting lineup for Manchester City 10 times in all 2023-24 events. This scenario jeopardizes his spot on the England team.
Jack Grealish’s participation in England’s final squad for Euro 2024 remains uncertain, according to Gareth Southgate, who cites stiff competition on the flanks.
During Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, Grealish featured 10 times, mostly stepping in as a substitute. He stood out as a game-changer.
Under Southgate’s leadership, all of Grealish’s 35 caps have been earned. Misfortunes and a dip in form restricted him to a mere 20 appearances in all contests for Manchester City during the 2023-24 season. The year before, he chipped in with five goals and seven assists, helping the club secure a treble.
With friendly games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland on the horizon this week, Southgate affirmed Grealish’s commendable spirit.
“His brightness and zest are evident, and he thrives in this environment,” said Southgate.
“This season, his game time has dwindled, undoubtedly contrary to his wishes. Nonetheless, his innate abilities remain apparent,” he added.
“He is a joy to coach and a delightful presence in the team,” Southgate concluded.
Despite this, players like Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, Jarrod Bowen, James Maddison, and Eberechi Eze all excel on the wings. This has led to some speculation about whether Grealish will make the cut when Southgate trims his 33-man squad to 26.
When quizzed about Grealish’s situation, Southgate responded, “We haven’t finalized those decisions yet. The discussions continue around different scenarios, including player availability and injuries. It’s about who we might lose and if we need additional coverage in certain areas.”
“We’re taking our time this week. It’s an opportunity we must capitalize on,” he asserted.
“There’s a glut of talent in that sector, all vying for a spot. We have a solid idea of who has performed the best over the season. Yet, how many we should select or can afford to keep, given other positional demands, still hangs in the balance,” he explained.
