Southgate’s Snubs: Maguire and Grealish axed from Euro 2024 England squad

England manager Gareth Southgate has announced his squad for Euro 2024, controversially axing Harry Maguire and Jack Grealish. The decision has stirred debate, with fans and pundits alike questioning the decision making behind these high-profile exclusions.

Harry Maguire

Southgate and Maguire’s love affair has come to an end, with the Manchester United player failing to recover from a calf injury. This will be good news to some fans, as Maguire has become something of a figure of ridicule due to his numerous blunders. The defender’s desire to channel his inner midfielder often leaves him forgetting he is a defender. Who could forget the time he tried to dribble out of defense against Tottenham Hotspur, only to lose the ball and gift the opposition a golden scoring opportunity? This was not an isolated incident.

However, it’s worth noting that Maguire’s record for England is somewhat better than his club record. With the national team, he has been more consistent , playing key roles in England’s runs to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020. Arguably, his form this season and his injury have given Southgate a convenient, reason to drop his golden boy.

This season at Manchester United, Maguire has faced scrutiny. His performance in a crucial Champions League match saw him lose possession under pressure (the ongoing theme) leading to a costly goal against Sevilla. Such mistakes have eroded the confidence of both fans and coaches in his reliability. Yet, his aerial dominance and leadership qualities on the field remain undeniable, making his exclusion a head scratcher for Southgate.

Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish has never quite fit into Southgate’s more conservative ideology. Grealish’s attacking instincts and willingness to take risks often run counter to Southgate’s preference for structure and defensive solidity. Grealish always seemed an outsider in the England setup.

Personally, I have always thought of Grealish as an exciting player with lots of skill on the ball and always offering an attacking threat. But one must question his move from Aston Villa, where he was their star player, to Manchester City, where he did not stand out, blending into the background amongst their star players. Hindsight is a bitch isn’t it Jack but at least your trophy cabinet is getting use now! In the 2023/2024 season, Grealish has made only 23 starts across all competitions, contributing 5 assists and 4 goals. These modest statistics reflect his struggle to adapt and secure a regular starting position in Manchester City’s deep squad.

Grealish’s transition to Manchester City has been far from smooth. Despite his undeniable talent, he has found it challenging to fit into Pep Guardiola’s system, which demands not just creativity but also tactical discipline. His limited starts have meant fewer opportunities to make a significant impact, and his performances, while often promising, have lacked the consistency needed to secure a place in the starting eleven.

Critics have long suggested that Southgate doesn’t fully trust Grealish, a sentiment that was glaringly apparent during the Euro 2020 final. Despite the match crying out for an injection of creativity, Grealish was introduced too late to make a meaningful impact, a decision many? I included, argue cost England the trophy.

The Bigger Picture

Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad selections show a commitment to a pragmatic, cautious style of play, often to the frustration of fans who yearn for a more adventurous approach. Maguire’s defensive gaffes and Grealish’s attacking exuberance stand as testaments to the risks that Southgate is unwilling to take. 

With Southgate looking to other options and including four Crystal Palace players, it shows the strength and depth of the Premier League that two big-name players can be left out. Hope it pays off. Come on, England!