Jack Grealish has opened up about his summer absence from England’s Euro 2024 squad, revealing the emotional toll it took on him. The Manchester City star described missing out on a spot in the squad as “heartbreaking,” a sentiment that encapsulates the unexpected turn his summer took. While the 26-man England squad jetted off to Germany for the tournament, Grealish had to watch from home, a stark contrast to his experience during Euro 2020, where he played a crucial role in helping England reach the final.
Grealish’s exclusion from Gareth Southgate’s list followed a season at club level that didn’t go as he had hoped. Despite his talent and previous contributions, Grealish’s performance last season with Manchester City fell short of expectations. He managed to score only three goals in 36 appearances, a disappointing return that likely influenced Southgate’s decision to leave him out of the Euro 2024 squad.
Reflecting on this period, Grealish described it as the most challenging moment of his career from a football perspective. “I’ll be honest, it was probably, football-wise, the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to deal with in my career,” he said during Manchester City’s pre-season tour. The constant reminders of the tournament, whether through social media or television, made it hard for him to avoid thinking about it. He admitted feeling devastated by the situation.
However, Grealish is determined to use this setback as motivation for the upcoming season. He aims to adopt the same mentality that drove him two years ago. “For myself now, moving forward, I have to just try to use that as motivation going into this season and try to have the same mentality as I had two years ago,” he stated.
Grealish acknowledged that his first season at City didn’t meet his own expectations, but his performance improved significantly in the second season, largely because he was driven to come back stronger. He hopes to replicate that resilience and improvement in the forthcoming season.
The winger sees this pre-season as an opportunity to get a head start on his fitness and regain his confidence. “This is my chance to get my fitness, to have a two-week head start and try to be as fit as possible.
And I’m playing with confidence. I feel like that’s what I need and fingers crossed I can do that,” he said. Grealish is focused on preparing himself physically and mentally to ensure he performs at his best.
Manchester City will kick off their 2024/25 Premier League campaign on August 18 with an away match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Before that, they will face Manchester United in the Community Shield, providing an early test of their readiness for the season ahead.
Grealish’s determination to bounce back and his commitment to regaining his form will be crucial as City aims for success in both domestic and European competitions.
Grealish’s candid reflection on his summer and his plans for the future highlight his resilience and professional attitude. Missing out on the Euro 2024 squad was a significant disappointment, but it has also fueled his drive to improve and succeed.
As he prepares for the new season, Grealish’s story serves as a reminder of the ups and downs that professional athletes face and their capacity to turn setbacks into opportunities for growth. His journey will be one to watch as the new Premier League season unfolds.
