Joleon Lescott has controversially told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (17/10/20 at 2:10 pm) that Gareth Southgate’s decision to snub Jack Grealish during recent international matches is ‘personal’ and nothing to do with footballing issues.
Aston Villa’s captain was handed his maiden start for his country last Thursday during England’s 3-0 win over Wales and he impressed by winning the Man of the Match award.
But for the forthcoming matches – against Belgium and Denmark – he was an unused substitute to the dismay and confusion of many English supporters.
Former Three Lions defender, Lescott is adamant that Southgate’s decision has nothing to do with football and it’s something beyond that.
“It was strange,” Lescott told Sky Sports. “There seems to be a lack of consistency in the reasons for him to not be involved. He obviously dominated the game against Wales. Man of the Match display and then didn’t get on the next game.
“Then the Denmark game, you are talking about the style and what we were trying to do in regards to getting fouls and putting balls into the box. Jack Grealish gets fouled more time than any other player.
“There is obviously something there. There is obviously a reason. I honestly believe it’s a personal thing. I don’t think it’s down to a technical issue or an aspect down to his game because he’s proven to be as consistent as anybody in that squad.
“When he was given the chance to play, he performed and then to not feature. You would like to think not [an English manager would hold a grudge against a player]. But what is the reason then?”
The problem with the Grealish situation is that he didn’t even get onto the pitch for a single minute after a Man of the Match performance in his first start for his country.
Added with that, Southgate has previously stated that Grealish needs Premier League experience – but selects Kalvin Phillips before he’s played in England’s top-flight. He then urges Grealish to perform against the best – he does that by helping his boyhood club survive relegation and recently scored and assisted five against Liverpool.
He then performs when given a chance for England and is rewarded with a metaphorical slap in the face. If it’s to do with footballing reasons then the magnifying glass needs to come out because many supporters simply cannot see it.
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