Manchester City had more players from their squad selected to play in the 2024 European Championship than any other Premier League club.
With Pep Guardiola’s side winning a fourth consecutive Premier League trophy in their previous season, it wouldn’t have surprised City supporters that so many of their club’s players were involved in this summer’s international tournament.
Despite that, a pundit has shared his thoughts on one particular City player who was not picked to represent his country and why this was ultimately a wrong decision from his international manager.
Richards Keys says Jack Grealish should’ve been in the England squad for Euro 2024
In a recent blog post, Richards Keys had this to say on the matter.
He said: “I’d have taken both [Marcus] Rashford and [Jack] Grealish. Granted – neither had a great season for their clubs, but they’re established internationals and both can turn games.
“I’m not a big fan of Grealish, but he would’ve scared people coming on as a sub. And Rashford’s pace could’ve been devastating. England desperately missed pace in their team. And pace of passing. Positive forward passing.”
Grealish would’ve been a big help to England
Speaking to the media (via Metro) after the final, Southgate said that his side’s inability to keep hold of the ball was a factor as to why they lost.
Bearing in mind how Grealish won the second-highest total of fouls (41) from opposition players in the Premier League last season out of everyone in the City squad, this shows how capable he is in terms of keeping hold of the ball and winning fouls for his side.
Interestingly, after the news broke that Gareth Southgate had not selected Grealish to be in the England squad for the Euros, it was reported that certain players in the camp were internally discussing that it was a mistake for the City winger to not be included in the squad.
With all of that taken on board, it’s easy to see why Keys thinks Grealish should have been part of the camp that helped England make it to their first final of a major tournament on foreign soil.
