Southgate has made some big calls.
After some stellar performances for Aston Villa in the Championship this season, a host of England fans had been baying for Jack Grealish’s inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.
It would have been a big turn up for the books for the 22-year-old, who was forced to endure some barbs from Republic of Ireland fans after his decision to declare for England two years ago, but the attacking midfielder has been lording it for the promotion seeking Villans all season.
His creativity and confidence in possession is exactly what England have been missing in recent times and in recent tournaments, and there had been calls for Grealish to be included as a result.
The change has come because of Jack Grealish though https://t.co/RP00NpUi6L #AVFC
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) May 16, 2018
Tim Sherwood, who coached the Soulhill native in the past was one of many who called for him to be included, on the back of his three goals and six assists in the Championship this season.
“Jack Grealish can handle the football, he knows what it’s like to handle the football, the ball is his friend,” he said.
The official 23 man England squad for this summer’s World Cup in Russia was announced on Wednesday afternoon, and the big news is that Grealish has been left out.
Gareth Southgate said before the announcement that there would be no surprises, and he has stuck to his word, opting not to hand out any wildcards to youngsters like Grealish, Jadon Sancho or Ryan Sessegnon. The England boss has only selected players who have played for him during his time in charge.
Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere are the most notable omissions, while Nick Pope and Danny Welbeck have all been included.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s recent form on loan at Crystal Palace has earned him a call-up. The Chelsea man also won Man of the Match in his senior debut for the Three Lions against Germany, back in November.
Here is the full squad.
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Butland, Pickford, Pope
Defenders: Walker, Trippier, Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Cahill, Jones, Maguire, Young, Rose
Midfielders: Dier, Delph, Henderson, Loftus-Cheek, Lingard, Alli, Sterling
Forwards: Kane, Rashford, Vardy, Welbeck
https://twitter.com/Jack1YT/status/996741895127695361
Ryan Sessengon and Jack Grealish would be in my world cup squad.
— Craig (@craig_dw) May 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/siy1986/status/996508214081544196
If villa were already in the premier league , Jack Grealish would be a shoe in for the world cup .
Why not take him ??@StanCollymore @GarethSouthgate— deanferris (@deanferris7) May 15, 2018
Jack Grealish should be in the England World Cup squad. If you disagree, that's because you haven't watched him play enough this season.
— Alex Keble (@alexkeble) May 12, 2018
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