Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave out Jack Grealish from England’s Euro 2024 squad has sparked debate after a lacklustre start to the tournament.
England currently sit top of Group C heading into their final group game against Slovenia on four points after beating Serbia but drawing with Denmark.
The 1-1 draw against Denmark in particular has brought into focus Southgate’s squad selection, with many ex-players suggesting the likes of Grealish and Marcus Rashford would have given England something they’re currently lacking.
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Neither Cole Palmer or Anthony Gordon have played a single minute in the tournament so far after stellar club campaigns and Arsenal hero Paul Merson has an interesting theory as to why they were called up.
Questioned what the pair would be thinking on Jeff Stelling’s Football Greatest podcast, Merson suggested Southgate selected them both to avoid conflict over playing time.
“That’s why they’re there and Jack Grealish is not there,” Merson said. “I imagine Jack would be going mad now.
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“I can’t imagine Gordon and Palmer saying anything, I just imagine them sitting there just saying to themselves ‘maybe I should be getting on’. I don’t see them saying anything to [Southgate].
“I can see a Jack Grealish going to Gareth ‘why am I not not playing?’
“He brings on Eze, who's one of our most gifted players, to do a job. He's running back.”
Merson also questioned Southgate’s substitutions and believes Palmer in particular should have been given the chance to impress.
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He added: “He puts Bowen on the other side. Bowen is alright if you want to keep a lead, if you're winning like we were last week, we're one-nil up, you put him out on the right, he'll do what it says on the tin. He'll get up and down. He'll block crosses and get crosses in.
"But you don't put him on to go and win a game in my opinion. There are horses for courses.
"You've got to put Palmer on, he's scored 20 goals this season. He can play with that bit of flair. Eze gets on and doesn't touch the ball. There's no plan.
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"I'd play Watkins but I'd have to keep Kane in the team. I'd have to find a way. You've got to keep world-class players on the football pitch."
England face Slovenia at 8pm on June 25.
Topics: England, Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford, Paul Merson, Cole Palmer
Marcus Banks