Germany camp 'feared' Grealish way more than England star still in squad (2024)

England fans were left stunned by Jack Grealish's omission from the Euro 2024 squad, but they are not the only ones who were surprised by the news

Germany players have been left aghast by Gareth Southgate's decision to name Eberechi Eze in England's Euro 2024 squad over Jack Grealish, according to reports.

Southgate named his Three Lions players that will be heading to Germany for this year's competition. Grealish, 28, is one of a number of shock omissions along with Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison.

Eze, who currently boasts three international caps, was given the nod ahead of the three time Premier League winner, as was other internationally inexperienced players such as Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon and many others. The Crystal Palace forward was widely believed to be an outside choice to make the squad but has managed to impress Southgate with his form for Palace and his impressive display in England's 3-0 friendly victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

While the 25-year-old has many admirers, players in the Germany team have reportedly been left surprised by his place in the squad over the ex-Aston Villa captain.

According to the Independent, many members of Die Mannschaft were "stunned" when they saw the England squad who will be playing in Germany. It also claimed Grealish was seen as a player who "provokes fear in opposition when he runs at them" and that they do not feel the same about Eze.

Grealish is considered to be one of the most popular players in the dressing room and the country. He became a cult hero in England's run to the Euro 2020 final, with England fans constantly calling for him to be introduced from the bench by Southgate.

While the likes of Maddison and Harry Maguire have both expressed their disappointment and issued their support for the Three Lions, Grealish is yet to respond publicly to his dropping. When asked to explain his decision to leave Grealish at home, Southgate said: “The players took the news respectfully.

"Of course players believe they should be in and that’s why they are top players because they have self belief and they have that mindset. But the fact is we have players who have been playing extremely well all season in the league and we just feel other players have had stronger seasons, particularly in the last six months or so.

“In the attacking areas we are blessed with a lot of options all slightly different. They’ve been tough calls, calls we’ve gone over and over as staff to try and be fair and to try and get the right rationale. We back our decisions, but we recognise we could have gone a different route.”

Grealish endured a difficult season for City, despite winning his third Premier League title in a row. Pep Guardiola also admitted in February that the 28-year-old's standards had dropped from the previous campaign, where he played a pivotal role in the Citizens' Treble triumph.

However, when asked if Grealish's recent form had played a role in the decision, Southgate opted to defend the player and not divulge too much into his reasoning.

He said: “I don’t think today would be a good day to talk about the bigger picture. I don’t think that would be fair.

"I have just delivered a really difficult conversation to a lad who is devastated. I think the world of him as a kid. Yes. I am not going to go any broader than that.”

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