Grealish Grounded: Euro Dream Dashed by Injuries and Doku’s Rise at City
Premier League champion Jack Grealish was expected to be a shoo-in for England’s Euro 2024 squad, but a season marred by injuries and a tactical shift at Manchester City saw him surprisingly left out by manager Gareth Southgate.
“More Frustration than Frustrations”
While Grealish helped City lift their fourth consecutive title, persistent hamstring issues kept him off the pitch for crucial stretches. These setbacks, coupled with “niggling injuries” throughout the season, meant he couldn’t secure a consistent starting role.
Doku’s Dazzling Displays Dimed Grealish’s Lights
Adding salt to the wound, City’s summer signing of youngster Jeremy Doku saw Pep Guardiola utilize Grealish primarily as an “impact sub.” Grealish only managed seven full Premier League starts, with Southgate likely noting his lack of consistent playing time.
Champions League Anonymity
Grealish’s woes continued in the Champions League, failing to add to his goal tally and managing just two assists before City’s dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Real Madrid. This, with Real Madrid going on to win the trophy, might have further dampened Southgate’s confidence in his selection.
Southgate’s Spoiled for Choice
While Grealish boasts a respectable record for England with two goals and eight assists in 36 appearances, Southgate highlighted the abundance of attacking talent at his disposal. He acknowledged Grealish’s ability but ultimately opted for players who enjoyed a more consistent run of form.
Social Media Speaks Volumes
Though Grealish hasn’t publicly addressed his omission, a recent Instagram post with the caption “Nothing better” alongside an image of him playing for England speaks volumes about his disappointment.
So near, yet so far. Despite missing out on Euros glory, Grealish can still take solace in City’s treble (including the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup) and will be looking to bounce back next season, proving Southgate wrong.
