Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed that one Manchester City player certainly deserved to be selected for Euro 2024.
City are the most represented team at the competition — with 14 of their players selected in their respective nations’ squads.
Representing one’s country is considered the ultimate honour for any player.
Jack Grealish will not experience that feeling in Germany.
Gabby Agbonlahor makes case for Jack Grealish to be in England’s Euro 2024 squad
Wayne Rooney revealed that if it was up to him, he would have opted for Grealish over Bowen.
However, Danny Murphy felt the 28-year-old did not deserve a place in Gareth Southgate’s roster for the tournament off the back of a disappointing campaign.
Gabby Agbonlahor has emphasised why Grealish should have been a part of the 26-man England squad at Euro 2024.
On talkSPORT, he said: “Of course [Jack Grealish will feel disappointed]. He’s been majorly involved in the last two tournaments, the Euros and the World Cup. He’s one of the players that the public love as well, so many messages I’ve had, how come Jack isn’t in the squad? Shocked. Everyone’s shocked he’s not in the squad.”
“He would look back and he would look at what he’s done in an England shirt, should Jack have been in a 26-man squad? I think he’s a game-changer, even if you look at the friendly against Bosnia, came on, changed the game and got an assist for Trent’s [Alexander-Arnold] goal.”
Gabby Agbonlahor explained what Grealish would have brought to this England side at the competition.
“And he’s the sort of player, Jim [White] and Simon [Jordan] will disagree but when you’re playing in a tournament game and you need someone to change the game, 20, 30 minutes, Jack’s that sort of player, getting into tight spaces, teams sitting back.”
Agbonlahor added: “Also, when you’re winning a game, someone to get in a game and get little fouls, Jim. Get little fouls up the pitch, carry the ball, slow the game down, I just don’t understand in a 26-man squad why Jack isn’t in.”
“And I think everyone was baffled by it except Simon. But I think his tournament experience as well, Jack should’ve been in the squad for me.”
Next season could be a make-or-break campaign for Jack Grealish
As Gabby Agbonlahor claimed, Grealish would be gutted not to be travelling with the England squad to compete at Euro 2024.
Aside from his disappointment on the international stage, next season could be a make-or-break campaign for the £300,000-a-week man at Manchester City.
It was claimed at the end of May that Grealish and Guardiola had a chat about how the player’s performances had to improve in the following term.
Usually, Pep Guardiola seems quite ruthless in his decision-making with players but he has given the Englishman a chance to prove his class.
If Grealish, who turns 29 in September does not fulfil his Manchester City boss’ promise, it would not emerge as a surprise if his name is placed on the transfer shortlist.
Once that is the case, there would be a possibility that his international career could come under serious jeopardy.
It would be a shame for that to be the case considering Grealish remains a top player, capable of being a huge contributor for both club and country.
All eyes will be on the former Aston Villa attacker next season to witness how he responds to such a setback.