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England players were left stunned by a decision that manager Gareth Southgate made before the start of Euro 2024.
Despite being unconvincing for long periods during the tournament, the Three Lions managed to make it through to the final.
However, England were beaten 2-1 by Spain in the final in Berlin, with Mikel Oyarzabal the winner late on.
It has subsequently emerged that many members of the England squad were left stunned by a decision that Southgate made prior to the start of the tournament.
The decision certainly wasn’t well received by many members of the squad.
As reported by The Athletic, the decision to leave Jack Grealish out of the squad was unpopular with many players.
Grealish had been named in the provisional squad but the winger, who endured a frustrating season with Manchester City, didn’t make the final cut, with James Maddison and Harry Maguire also being left out.
The report states that some players visited Grealish in his bedroom following the decision and expressed their disbelief.
Many felt that Grealish, who has 36 England caps, warranted inclusion due to his experience and quality, while they were baffled as to why he was left out.
Declan Rice admitted in a press conference that he was ‘gutted’ that ‘two of my best mates had been left out the squad’ in reference to Grealish and Maddison.
Grealish is said to have wished his team-mates good luck as he left the camp but he didn’t do so with Southgate, having been left ‘shocked and deeply upset’ by his decision.
The decision to leave Grealish out led to a bittersweet feeling amongst some players as their places in the squad were confirmed.
England finished top of their group with five points and then beat Slovakia in extra-time in the round of 16.
The Three Lions overcame Switzerland on penalties and then won 2-1 against the Netherlands, with Ollie Watkins scoring a late winner.
In the final, Nico Williams put Spain in front, with Cole Palmer equalising for England before Oyarzabal’s intervention.
