Kyle Walker claims he was ‘shocked’ at Jack Grealish’s omission from England’s Euro 2024 squad – but admits his Man City team-mate ‘could have had a better season’

Kyle Walker has claimed he was shocked to see Jack Grealish axed from England’s Euro 2024 squad. 

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

The 28-year-old endured a difficult campaign with Manchester City, seeing himself fall out of Pep Guardiola’s regular XI and starting just 10 Premier league matches.

And club team-mate Walker says he was surprised at Grealish’s omission due to his quality – but admitted other Three Lions players, who Southgate favoured, are there ‘on merit’. 

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

Kyle Walker has admitted he was shocked at Grealish’s omission from the Three Lions squad

‘Was I shocked because of the players he’s (Southgate) brought in? No because I think they’re all at a great quality and they’ve all had fantastic seasons. 

‘I think Jack would be the first one to say he could have had a better season. I think he’s come out publicly and said he could’ve had a better season. 

‘So what does the. manager base it on? Form or people that he knows and that has had good tournaments or a good season, the season before, you know. 

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

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

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

Grealish endured a difficult campaign with Manchester City, starting just 10 league matches 

The arrival of Jeremy Doku saw his gametime dramatically reduce and his place in the City pecking order was perhaps best shown during the FA Cup final when, needing to overturn a 2-0 deficit in the closing stages against Man United, Pep Guardiola turned instead to the Belgian. 

Speaking on the players who were left out, Southgate said: ‘all the players took the news really respectfully. Of course, all players will think they should be in and that’s why they are top players.

‘They have that self-belief and mindset, but the fact is we have some players who have been playing extremely well in the league all season.

‘We just felt other players had stronger seasons particularly in the last six months or so.’