Jack Grealish has been told he is FIFTH in line for an England call-up after another amazing snub.
Gareth Southgate explained Grealish’s absence from the squad by insisting he sees the Aston Villa star as a wide player and Manchester United teenager Mason Greenwood is already ahead of him in the pecking order.
It was another blow for Grealish as the Villa midfielder almost single-handedly saved his club from relegation and does raise question marks whether Southgate rates him who has also promoted Phil Foden to the seniors.
But England boss Southgate said: “With Jack, the simple answer is Mason Greenwood. He’s competing in my view against Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, Jason Sancho and Raheem Sterling.
“I know Villa have played him as an eight, I don’t see him in that role for us. He could play as a 10 but we haven’t played with a 10. But also some of those other players I’ve talked about would be very good 10s as well.
“He’s a talent, there’s no doubt about that. But I think Mason Greenwood’s performances… the others have been with us for a long time and have produced and performed well for us. Mason’s form, his goal scoring ability and his maturity was impossible to leave him out.
“You’re cautious at times to put a young player in too early and we’ve looked at Phil for a long time and thought is now the right time?
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“But I think we’re four get togethers away from a European Championship and we felt now it’s important to involve Mason and Phil with us, let’s see how they adapt, we think they’re good enough. They’re going to provide massive competition for places.
“Jack is unfortunate and I’ll be getting crucified by the Villa fans who’ve still never forgiven me for leaving for Middlesbrough anyway. But c’est la vie, I did pick Tyrone Mings so it’s not a club thing.”
