Jack Grealish returning to Man City early after brutal England snub for Euro 2024
Manchester City star Jack Grealish is poised to return early to his club to get a head-start on pre-season training after his England disappointment.
The 28-year-old was a surprise omission from England's Euro 2024 squad. He made Gareth Southgate's 33-man preliminary group but was one of six players cut for the final tournament after compatriot Harry Maguire missed out through injury.
Grealish has shared footage of him training at Juventus' facilities as he attempts to get in shape for the upcoming season. Injury issues and the form of City team-mates meant his minutes were limited at the tail end of last season, and he'll be keen to avoid a repeat.
According to The Star, Grealish has told City he will be back several days before the return date set by manager Pep Guardiola. City will embark on the first of their pre-season friendlies on July 23, but those not involved in the Euros are due back two weeks earlier on July 9.
Grealish is understood to feel his lack of minutes at the end of the season played a part in him missing out on a place in Southgate's final squad. He played just 90 minutes across the final seven games of City's league campaign, with the only start during that run coming against Nottingham Forest in April.
"All the players took the news really respectfully," Southgate said after trimming the squad to 26. James Trafford, Jarell Quansah, Jarrad Branthwaite, James Maddison and Curtis Jones were the others to miss out, along with the injured Maguire.
"Of course, all players will believe they should be in, and that’s why they are top players," the manager continued. "They have that self-belief and mindset, but the fact is we have some players who have been playing extremely well all season in the league".
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Jack Grealish playing for England
City have four games during their US tour, beginning with a friendly against Celtic in Chapel Hill. They will also take on AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea in the United States before returning to England for the Community Shield against Manchester United on August 10.
Those involved for their national teams will return later than colleagues with no such responsibilities. The final of Euro 2024 will take place on July 14, and City have representatives from several competing nations.
Whether England make it all the way to the final remains to be seen. A squad containing City trio Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden remains in pole position to top Group C, though the performance in the draw with Denmark prompted concern from thr outside.
Jack Grealish playing for Manchester City against Real Madrid
England will top the group if they can beat Slovenia on Tuesday. If they finish second in the group, though, hosts Germany could await in the round of 16.
"I think there is probably more pressure now from the outside just because of the seasons some of our players have had," Three Lions midfielder Declan Rice said after the Denmark game. "If you look at the goals that our front four have scored this year, it’s over a hundred between them. Of course, there is expectation because they are the best players in the world.
"And that goes for everyone throughout the team. There’s going to be that pressure. This is England, a major tournament. But look, this is our job and this is what we have to deal with. At the end of the day, it’s us, we’ve played in high-pressure games, high-pressure environments."
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