Several members of the England squad have allegedly been left bemused by Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave Jack Grealish out of his squad for Euro 2024.
The 28-year-old can claim to have enjoyed a relatively successful campaign from a club perspective, having won his third Premier League title with Manchester City.
However, it has been mixed from an individual perspective. Just 10 starts and 10 substitute outings came in the top flight, and Grealish has provided just one assist since the turn of the year.
Due to his seniority, Grealish retained his spot in England’s 33-player preliminary squad for the friendlies but will not be a part of the team to Germany.
During the first friendly fixture against Bosnia and on Monday evening, the playmaker was one of the highlights as his second-half substitute appearance helped spark England into life as they posted a 3-0 victory at St James’ Park.
As such, he was heavily odds-on to earn a place in the final 26-player group, yet his name was one of seven to be excluded from Southgate’s final plans.
Several fans looking to buy Euro 2024 tickets from a secondary marketplace are stunned to see his omission.
The report claims that one senior player approached Southgate to question why Grealish’s qualities were not perceived as valuable assets for the upcoming tournament in Germany.
While it is added that there was no argument, the senior player in question wanted an explanation to pass on to the rest of the squad.
## What Did Southgate Say?
At a press conference following the squad announcement, Southgate addressed his reasoning behind some of his decisions, insisting that he ‘backed’ the calls to be correct.
He told reporters:
“All the players made the decisions respectfully, and all the players believed they should be in; that’s why they’re all top players with that mindset. Some players have performed exceptionally well this season, and others have had stronger seasons. In the attacking positions, we’re blessed with many 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.”
Harry Kane Says Team Needs to Quiet Down
England captain Harry Kane has tried to look on the bright side after a calamitous Wembley send-off ahead of Euro 2024, where his team lost to Iceland.
“This could be a nice wake-up call,” said the Three Lions skipper, who added that winning a first major tournament since 1966 “isn’t as easy as people think.”
England kick off their campaign against Serbia on Sunday in Group C.
Gareth Southgate’s side are among the favourites to lift the trophy in Germany, where the European Championship kicks off on Friday when the hosts face Scotland in Munich.
England’s campaign begins against Serbia on Sunday, but they head to the tournament negatively after falling to a 1-0 loss against Iceland at Wembley in their send-off friendly on Friday.
The Three Lions finished as runners-up at the Euros three years ago, suffering a penalty shootout defeat to Italy in the final, and captain Kane was eager to look for positives after a forgettable night dampened hopes of a first major trophy since 1966.
“This could be a nice wake-up call for everyone to realise it will not be as easy as people think. There is a lot of work to do,” Kane said.
“We fell below our standards without the ball, and that is something we must review and improve. There probably was not enough hunger in the duels, in the second balls and winning those. You must be more clinical, sustain the pressure and suffocate teams.
“I have often said to judge us on the tournament form and football. Of course, there will be some noise about Iceland, but there is a lot of optimism from the fans and rightly so.
“Ultimately, it is up to us to ensure we get it right on the pitch. Being so close in the last Euros, there is a real hunger to be back. It comes around quickly if I’m honest.
“We had the World Cup, and we are back here again. We are on the right path. But as we all know, it can be challenging to win these tournaments. There are many things that you have to do right and prepare right, and you need a bit of luck here and there. Every winner does. We have that mindset that we can achieve it. We also know there is much hard work from now until the final in July.”
Harry Kane of England runs with the ball during the international friendly match between England and Iceland at Wembley Stadium in London, England, on June 07, 2024.
England begin their Group C campaign against Serbia on Sunday. They will then face Denmark on June 20 – a repeat of the Euro 2020 semi-final—and Slovenia on June 25.
Ticket options for the England v Serbia clash are still available. Fans who have yet to buy Euro 2024 tickets from a secondary marketplace.
Since the last Euros, Southgate’s side has suffered more major tournament heartbreak at the 2022 World Cup.
Kane scored one penalty and missed another in a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to France, and the Bayern Munich striker doesn’t look back on the moment fondly.
James Maddison Dilemma
James Maddison and Curtis Jones have been left out of England’s 26-player squad for Euro 2024.
Maddison – who came off the bench in England’s 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday – has left the camp. At the same time, Jones is also not expected to feature in Friday’s friendly against Iceland.
Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire have also been cut from the squad.
Gareth Southgate must reduce his 33-player preliminary squad to 26 by 11 p.m. on Friday, around an hour after England’s final Euro 2024 warm-up game against Iceland at Wembley. Maddison’s wait for a major tournament appearance with England goes on. The Tottenham midfielder made the final 2022 World Cup squad but failed to appear before the Three Lions’ quarter-final exit.
Jones is yet to be capped by England.
Fans who have yet to buy Euro 2024 tickets from a secondary marketplace can now purchase options before they run out due to the high demand.
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