Kyle Walker claims he was ‘shocked’ by Jack Grealish’s omission from England’s Euro 2024 squad

• Jack Grealish was left out of Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man squad last week.
• Kyle Walker claims Grealish’s replacements in squad are there ‘on merit’
• LISTEN It all begins! Why Euro 2024 could once again offer us an “old-fashioned” tournament

Kyle Walker has claimed he was shocked to see Jack Grealish left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad.

Grealish was one of the shocking omissions as Gareth Southgate confirmed his final 26-man squad for the tournament last week.

The 28-year-old has endured a difficult campaign with Manchester City, being left out of Pep Guardiola’s regular XI and only starting 10 Premier League matches.

And club team-mate Walker says he is surprised at Grealish’s omission due to his quality – but admitted other Three Lions players favored by Southgate are there “on merit”.

Asked by ITV if he was shocked by Grealish’s omission, Walker told ITV: “Shocked because I know what Jack can do.

“Was I shocked because of the players he (Southgate) brought in? No, because I think they are all high quality and they have all had fantastic seasons.

“I think Jack would be the first to say he could have had a better season. I think he’s been on record saying he could have had a better season.

‘So what does it do. does the manager base this on this? A form or people he knows and who had good tournaments or a good season, the season before, you know.

“You are here on merit and I think it should always be like that. That you’re in this team because you played well for your club, which then puts you in the England fold.

Players like Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze and Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon were given the nod in place of Grealish.

Grealish managed just three goals and three assists as City won a historic fourth Premier League title.

The arrival of Jeremy Doku saw his playing time significantly reduced and his place in City’s pecking order was perhaps best demonstrated in the FA Cup final when, having to overturn a 2-0 deficit in the final stages against Man United, Pep Guardiola instead turned to the Belgian.

Speaking about the excluded players, Southgate said: “All the players have taken the news with great respect. Of course, all players will think that they should participate and that’s why they are among the best players.

“They have that self-belief and that mindset, but the fact is we have players who have played extremely well in the league all season.

“We just felt other players had stronger seasons, especially in the last six months.”