GERMANY players have reportedly been left SHOCKED by Gareth Southgate’s decision to axe Jack Grealish from England’s Euro 2024 squad.
Grealish, 28, was one of seven players who failed to make the cut as Southgate trimmed his 33-man squad down to 26 on Thursday.
Eberechi Eze, 25, who currently boasts three international caps, was given the nod ahead of the three time Premier League winner.
The Crystal Palace forward was viewed as a fringe choice for the squad but managed to sway Southgate with his performances this season.
And now it is claimed that members in the Germany squad were amazed by Eze’s inclusion over ex-Aston Villa captain Grealish.
The Independent reports that many members of Die Mannschaft were “stunned” when they saw the England squad heading for Germany.
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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.
In fact, ex-Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic said that it is “good news” for Serbia that Southgate has ditched 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 while Maddison and Maguire have voiced their disappointment, Grealish has not yet made a public statement regarding his exit.
The £100million winger was reportedly left “stunned and upset” following his axe.
And it’s said that one senior player even approached the Three Lions boss to better understand the reasoning behind the decision.
Reports suggest that there was no heated row or 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 said to have been left shocked by the decision with a number of teammates heading to Grealish’s room after he had been informed of the manager’s decision.
This is a bold changing of the guard from Southgate… he’s never been afraid to be ruthless
GARETH SOUTHGATE has made a habit of taking ruthless calls during his eight years as England boss, writes Dave Kidd.
And his decision to axe Jack Grealish, as well as James Maddison, is further evidence of the Three Lions chief being unafraid to take big decisions with big-name players.
Harry Maguire is also among the seven players left out for the squad to travel to Germany for the Euros, although the decision to omit the Manchester United centre-back is based on his failure to recover from injury.
Southgate is, more than ever, picking on 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 all get the chop.
While the England boss is often regarded as an over-cautious nice guy, he took big decisions in getting rid of the likes of Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Chris Smalling at the start of his reign.
Southgate also jettisoned Raheem Sterling last year after the Chelsea man had been a regular starter throughout most of his reign.
And Jordan Henderson was left out of the 33-man preliminary squad having been a stalwart for Southgate throughout his previous three tournaments.
Grealish has been a cause celebre for England fans – who have often accused Southgate of holding an agenda against him.
But he has struggled for game-time with Manchester City all season, just as Maddison has been off-form since returning from injury at Spurs.
This is a bold changing of the guard from Southgate, who has relied heavily on Maguire, Henderson, Sterling and Rashford throughout his time in charge, while Grealish and Maddison are both popular flair players who fully expected to make the 26-man party for Germany.
Burnley keeper James Trafford, the Liverpool duo of Curtis Jones and Jarrell Quansah and Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite make up Southgate’s seven-man cull along with Grealish, Maddison and Maguire.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
