GERMANY players were SHOCKED by Gareth Southgate’s decision to drop Jack Grealish from England’s Euro 2024 squad.
Grealish, 28, was one of seven players who failed to make the cut when Southgate reduced his squad from 33 to 26 on Thursday.
Eberechi Eze, 25, who currently has three caps, received the nod ahead of the three-time Premier League champion.
The Crystal Palace striker was seen as a fringe choice for the team, but he has managed to influence Southgate with his performances this season.
And now it is claimed that members of the German squad were surprised by Eze’s inclusion in place of former Aston Villa captain Grealish.
The Independent reports that many members of Die Mannschaft were “surprised” when they saw the England team heading to Germany.
He also stated that Grealish was seen as a player who “incites fear in opponents when he runs at them” and that they do not feel the same way about Eze.
Grealish is considered one of the most popular players in the dressing room and in the country.
In fact, former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic said it is “good news” for Serbia that Southgate has released Grealish and Marcus Rashford.
Matic wrote on X: “I would like to have players like Rashford and Grealish in the team. Players who can decide the game with one move! Not selected is good news for us.”
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The Manchester City star joined James Maddison, Harry Maguire, Curtis Jones, Jarrel Quansah, Jarrad Branthwaite and James Trafford in being sent home early by Southgate.
And although Maddison and Maguire have expressed their disappointment, Grealish is yet to make a public statement about his departure.
The £100m winger was reportedly left “stunned and upset” after his axe.
And a senior player is said to have even approached the Three Lions boss to better understand the reasoning behind the decision.
Reports suggest there was no fight or heated argument between the player and Southgate, and that the star was seeking an explanation to pass on to the rest of the squad.
The squad as a whole were shocked by the decision, with several team-mates heading to Grealish’s room after he was informed of the manager’s decision.
This is a bold change of guard from Southgate… he has never been afraid to be ruthless
GARETH SOUTHGATE made a habit of receiving relentless calls during his eight years as England manager, writes Dave Kidd.
And his decision to drop Jack Grealish, as well as James Maddison, is further proof that the Three Lions boss is not afraid to make big decisions with big-name players.
Harry Maguire is also among the seven players left out of the squad traveling to Germany for the European Championship, although the decision to omit the Manchester United defender is based on his inability to recover from injury.
Southgate is, more than ever, choosing form.
Attacking midfielders such as Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon have been rewarded with call-ups for their excellent Premier League form, while Marcus Rashford, Maddison and Grealish take the cake.
Although the England manager is often considered a nice and cautious guy, he made big decisions in getting rid of players like Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Chris Smalling early in his reign.
Southgate also ruled out Raheem Sterling last year after the Chelsea player was a regular starter for most of his reign.
And Jordan Henderson was left out of the 33-man preliminary squad, having been a Southgate supporter in the previous three tournaments.
Grealish has been a cause célèbre for English fans – who have often accused Southgate of maintaining an agenda against him.
But he has struggled to get game time with Manchester City all season, just as Maddison has been out of form since returning from injury at Spurs.
This is a bold change of guard from Southgate, who has relied heavily on Maguire, Henderson, Sterling and Rashford throughout his time in charge, while Grealish and Maddison are popular players who were expected to be part of the 26-man party for Germany. .
Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, Liverpool duo Curtis Jones and Jarrell Quansah and Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite make up Southgate’s seven-man squad, along with Grealish, Maddison and Maguire.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
