Manchester City have multiple players in their ranks who have experience of playing at an international level.
For instance, looking back over the 2024 European Championship, City had more players from their first-team squad (14) selected to represent their countries in the tournament than any other Premier League side.
However, one figure from Pep Guardiola’s side who was not selected to play in the competition was Jack Grealish.
After watching England get to the final of the tournament but lose to Spain, the winger has gone on to feature in nine games for City across all competitions this season, providing two assists along the way.
Now though, having seemingly found his way back into the England fold, the 28-year-old has opened up about his summer snub and highlighted why he thinks he should have been in the squad.
Jack Grealish opens up on England Euro 2024 snub
After being included in Lee Carsley’s latest England squad for their upcoming Nations League matches, Grealish said this in a recent interview with BBC Radio 5 Live (via BBC Sport) when asked how he feels about Gareth Southgate’s decision to not include him in the Three Lions squad for the 2024 European Championship.
He said: “I will be honest with you – I didn’t really agree with it.
“You need a bit of a balance in every position on the pitch and I class myself [as] quite an experienced player now.
“I have won a lot of stuff now so, you asked me should I have gone, yes, I still think I should have, but obviously it wasn’t meant to be.”
Kyle Walker was ‘shocked’ with Grealish call
Following the shocking news, City teammate Kyle Walker shared his thoughts on Grealish’s England axe by saying this back in June.
He said: “Shocked because I know what Jack can do. Shocked because of the players brought in? No, they’re all at a great quality and all had fantastic seasons.
“I think Jack would be the first one to say he could’ve had a better season. I think he has come out publicly and said he could have had a better season.
“So what does a manager base it on? Form or people that he knows and that have had good tournaments or a good season, the season before.
“You’re here on merit. And I believe always it should be like that. That you’re in this team because you’ve played well for your club which then puts you into the England fold.”
With Grealish having won three Premier League titles and one Champions League, racking up a combined total of 110 appearances in both competitions for City, it’s understandable why he thinks this sort of experience should have earned him a place in England’s squad over the summer.
