Jack Grealish is widely loved for his authenticity and down-to-earth nature, despite his success as England’s first £100 million footballer and his affiliation with high-end brands like Gucci. He has always been refreshingly honest, even when admitting his own shortcomings, such as his “awful” performance in the Champions League final. Grealish’s self-deprecating attitude has been a recurring theme since his record-breaking transfer to Manchester City. He has openly acknowledged his struggles for form and even described his own play as “crap” at times.
Gareth Southgate’s decision to exclude Grealish from England’s Euro 2024 squad left the player feeling “devastated” but also “shocked.” While the devastation is understandable, it is hard to believe that Grealish didn’t anticipate being cut from the squad, considering his own admission of struggling for form in recent months while other players like Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, and Eberechi Eze have thrived.
Throughout his international career, Grealish has won 35 caps for England but has never fully convinced Southgate. He has only started in 15 of those appearances, and despite public and media clamor for his inclusion, there have been few instances where he has truly seized the opportunity. Grealish’s omission from the starting lineup has fueled criticism of Southgate, who has often been seen as a cautious manager favoring more conventional players.
Grealish’s exclusion from the squad can be attributed to his recent lack of form. His performances at Manchester City have fallen short of expectations, with Pep Guardiola publicly stating that he needed to raise his game. Grealish struggled with injuries and failed to make a significant impact in City’s final matches of the season. Compared to younger players like Saka, Palmer, Gordon, and Eze, Grealish’s output in terms of goals and assists has been relatively low.
Southgate’s selection process has been influenced by the emergence of numerous young attacking players, raising the bar for inclusion in the squad. In previous years, established players were almost guaranteed a spot based on their reputation alone, but now Southgate has a wealth of options. The likes of Palmer, Foden, Solanke, Watkins, Bowen, Saka, Eze, and Gordon have all outperformed Grealish this season, both statistically and in terms of energy and enthusiasm.
Grealish’s decline in form can be attributed to various factors, including injuries and a change in role at Manchester City. He has struggled to replicate his form from his time at Aston Villa and has not shown the same level of flair and creativity on the ball. His ability to take on defenders has also declined. While he has been praised for adding new dimensions to his game, the free-spirited and swashbuckling Grealish of the past seems to have faded.
At 29 years old, Grealish’s career trajectory suggests that he may be better suited as the star player in a mid-table team rather than a supporting cast member in a team with higher aspirations. His intermittent brilliance has never truly dazzled, and he hasn’t had the same impact as players like Foden. Grealish’s honesty and authenticity have endeared him to fans, but it remains to be seen how he will respond to this setback and whether he can regain his best form.