A new report explains why Jack Grealish and Gareth Southgate have a ‘complicated’ relationship as questions remain over him starting.
As the nation calls out for the Three Lions boss to begin the game with the Aston Villa player on the pitch rather than the bench, The Athletic have seemingly looked into and lifted the lid on the ‘beef’ between the two.
He impressed many in both of England’s Euro 2020 warm-up friendlies, however was unused in the Three Lions’ first match against Croatia and only came on as a substitute in the draw with Scotland.
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Now we look close to the situation indicating that Southgate doesn’t trust Grealish, and that England players believe Southgate has dressing room favourites, while Grealish believes his “partying image” counts against him.
Southgate has been in charge of England since 2016, so the fact Grealish only got his senior debut nine months ago – just before his 25th birthday – is a clear sign that Southgate has been reluctant to use him in the past.
Part of that is said to be because Grealish allegedly had a poor relationship with the former England Under-21 coach Aidy Boothroyd, a person who Southgate trusted and considered a close ally during Grealish’s time as an under 21s player.
The report claims that Grealish and Boothroyd were “barely on speaking teams at the end of one tournament,” which went against the Premier League star when it came to stepping up to senior level.
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Concerns remain over Grealish’s work rate off the ball is also said to be behind Southgate’s reluctance to start the player in matches. This has surprised readers considering he puts a lot of effort more on the pitch.
Others in the England camp reckon that Southgate have his favourites (like many managers do) and Grealish is not among them. The manager has shown great loyalty to the likes of Kieran Trippier and Raheem Sterling, who played in England’s run to the World Cup semi-final in 2018.
Jordan Henderson, selected for Euro 2020 despite only just recovering from a long-term injury, and Mason Mount are said to be others Southgate likes.
However it is not all negative for Grealish, as Southgate is said to value him as a likeable and popular member of his group. The England boss also believes that Grealish is a highly talented player, yet still chooses to leave him out in crucial games when need him most.
The ex-Middlesbrough manager doesn’t always believe that Grealish can or will closely follow his tactical plans and has been apparently reluctant to talk up the player in front of the media whilst Grealish constantly expresses how he wants to be picked.
In October 2020, when asked about Grealish’s performance in a 3-0 victory against Wales, Southgate quickly diverted the topic to Mount and praised the Chelsea midfielder’s “excellent impact on the game”. It did not go unnoticed by those watching and once again caused outrage online.
Whether Southgate starts Grealish in the final Group D game against the Czech Republic on Tuesday, something that is reportedly set to happen, it’s a big test on whether the manager really trusts the player. Will he play the full 90?
It does have some meaning this game in terms of where England finish, however with the national team already qualifying, the game is already less significant and the fact Grealish never started in the lackluster 0-0 draw with Scotland just shows how much Southgate’s values him.
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Southgate hinted he could make changes to the team to face the Czechs.
“We have to better, we did not find answers to Scotland’s questions and could not find that pass,” admitted Southgate.
“You can see Jack Grealish’s ability to take players on one on one. (Something England supporters have said before every game)
“I felt the team that started against Croatia deserved to go again so we have to review now and make the right decision for the Czech Republic game.
“The games are intense and you have fresh legs to bring into play, we have a squad and have to use it. We took the captain Harry Kane off but the types of players on the bench, we have to use them.
“We have to look at how we operated in the final third, there was little space. A little bit of anxiety as the game went on because of the desire to win.
“We will see how the other groups play out to see if we already have enough to need more.”
On the prospect of changes against the Czechs Southgate said he would “see how everyone is, prepare for a different type of opponent and make the right decisions”.
Why is Grealish not in Southgate’s best #ENG XI? It’s complicated…
▪️ Doesn’t always trust him on the pitch
▪️ Different opinions over best position
▪️ Issues at #ENG U21
▪️ Southgate given him games but players don’t expect him to start— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) June 21, 2021
Fans reacted as a report explains why Jack Grealish and Gareth Southgate have a ‘complicated’ relationship…
@Daz7AVFC: 20,000 fans inside that ground tomoz , if Jack don’t start ‘ again ‘ be vocal and let the ‘ BOSS ‘ know what the whole nation wants ……..
@brumster1975: I don’t give a shit if they hate each other. It’s what’s best for the team not what is best for Southgate!
@villaoldgirl: Gareth should pick the most in form players and use subs in a more timely fashion… of course Jack Grealish should start
@bbear69: Now they are through he can afford to make changes let the younger guys get tournament experience
@Coryjgraham: At this stage I think Southgate has finally been found out and he’s floundering making up nonsensical excuses. His excuse for not playing sancho due to lack of experience is the best one yet
@Lawrenceee_B: It genuinely sounds like he’s just making up excuses at this point, same with the Sancho piece about his lack of experience. I’d be more than happy to see another manager come in after this tournament – we have so much potential in this squad, just needs managing right
@Son_Lyme: Used the same ‘lack of top flight experience’ on Grealish too – then selected Phillips with not a single Premier League game. Man is a politician more than a football coach.
@K3N_4D4MS: Southgate holding his best talent for games they’re never going to play. Will play injured/out of form players for his second last game and then expect a miracle for his final game.
@andymozz8: Let’s be completely honest….Southgate is a bang average manager
@lloyd_t1: He should be the first player on his team sheet and then build around him he’s special realise it before it’s to late please ffs
@BenGrace_: He’s trying so hard to make excuses for just simply having favourites. Earlier in the week he said Sancho hasn’t played a minute because he doesn’t have enough tournament experience. Mings, Rice, Phillips, Grealish, James, Mount, Foden?
@jSG50: He just has a personal agenda against him mate. He’s never been a fan of Jack.
@JLeg1975: This is the same Southgate who originally said he wasn’t picking Grealish because he was playing in the Championship and then picked Phillips in the next squad. Southgate doesn’t like Grealish as a person, end of story.
Twitter reaction continued as the report explains why Jack Grealish and Gareth Southgate have a ‘complicated’ relationship…
@ChrisGraves19: If this is the case, SOUTHGATE OUT
@albrighton_nose: He just doesn’t like him. I think it’s from their time together at u21 level where Grealish may have been difficult to manage at that time. Shows Southgate isn’t a very good man manager, as well as a tactical manager.
@samuelDpriddle: Southgate and Boothroyd trying to ruin a generational talent
@geolockwood: Any other country and Grealish would be one of the first names on the team sheet.
@BernieHipstie: It all makes sense when you step back and remember that Southgate is a very average manager with poor man management skills. He makes a judgement on a player in minutes and will doggedly stick with his initial call no matter what.
@DaddyDrapps: Southgate might have been a cracking player for us and I love him for that but so far, as a manager, he has little to no credentials and as far as I can see Grealish is one of England’s big players in this tournament and playing Sterling ahead of him is a joke … my opinion
@nickcauser92: Southgate just likes boring players who don’t break the mould and are disciplined. Just like he was. He doesnt like dynamic, mercurial talents as he sees them as a risk.
@ChicagoBearsMB: Is he f’in kidding? Grealish doesn’t pressure enough so he can’t play? Kane barely jogs when pressuring defenders but yet he’s our most important player? Southgate needs to go back to his substitute PE teacher gig.
@MaxGarfield2003: Grealish always tracks back for Villa especially when we face the big six. Even when we don’t, I remember against Bournemouth last season when he sprinted all the way back to the corner flag to dribble the ball out. Ridiculous from Southgate
@HarryUTV: Then why didn’t Watkins get a call up because his off the ball work is better than Kane or DCL
@DanRenshawAVFC: Not watched him at villa then
@lufcJoe_: Why tf didn’t he call up Watkins and Bamford then over DCL?
@ViIlaI_: I’d love to know where bamford and Watkins are then?
This paragraph on the relationship between Jack Grealish & Gareth Southgate from The Athletic is baffling to me.
Whenever I’ve watched Grealish for England and Villa he’s been one of the hardest working players on the pitch. pic.twitter.com/7mg9rmyUi4
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) June 21, 2021
crucial block in our own box but he doesn’t work hard enough off the ball 🥱 pic.twitter.com/U1g6AnAc0n
— 𝐃𝐚𝐧. 🏹 (@1874dan) June 21, 2021
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