The more that comes out in regards to the selection of Jack Grealish in the England squad for their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures the more his selection raises eyebrows. There briefly appeared to be hope that Grealish could feature against Brighton at the Amex Stadium today. But Pep Guardiola quickly snuffed that out with his update on the injury situation surrounding his squad. But now it appears that a club versus country row could be brewing over the situation surrounding Jack Grealish.
Speaking in the embargoed section of his pre-game press conference ahead of his team’s clash with Brighton Pep Guardiola was asked if Lee Carsley has contacted him about the fitness of Jack Grealish. The City manager said when asked: “No he didn’t contact me.”
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Pep Guardiola was then asked if the relationships between clubs and countries were sustainable. He explained when asked: “Always it has been like that in national teams, always they play this period. And I’m really pleased that the players, WHEN they are fit, when they didn’t struggle in the last one, two, three weeks, one month, go to the national team. I’m more than satisfied they go to represent his own country, they love to play with them. But when they don’t fit well for the reason that they struggle in the last month, I have the opinion they have to recover.”
The Manchester City manager explained that Jack Grealish has only started doing gym work rather than full training. He added: “In the gym, for a few minutes, yeah. In the last two days in the gym. (Would he be ready for England if selected?) It’s a question for the manager from the UK, so I’m not involved in that. They can select, I cannot add anything else. Only I said, the day after Wolves he was injured, 17 days out and today was the first training with the team.”
England’s approach to Jack Grealish is the opposite of the situation surrounding Nathan Ake.
England’s decision to select Jack Grealish is the exact opposite approach to that that the Netherlands have used with Nathan Ake. The Manchester City defender has been playing unfit to help his team. Because of this he wasn’t selected in the Dutch squad for their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures. Pep Guardiola was also asked about Ake’s fitness. He told the media: “Yeah, he’s getting better. He’s still not fully-fit, but he’s getting better.”
It appears that the Netherlands have used a common sense approach with their non-selection of Nathan Ake. The Dutch defender isn’t fully fit and the opportunity to rest is more beneficial to Ake’s situation rather than travelling to meet up with the Dutch squad. The same cannot be said for Jack Grealish and his selection in the England squad based on the information Pep Guardiola has provided today.
Summary
After hearing Pep Guardiola speak about the situation surrounding the fitness of Jack Grealish his selection for England is even more baffling. Lee Carsley told the media that Grealish had returned to training. He also said that England would do their own assessment on the winger before making a decision on his availability to play for England. But if Grealish isn’t fit enough to play or feature for City he couldn’t possible fit enough to play for England. Perhaps Grealish will be withdrawn from international duty in the coming days and that will provide clarity on his status. But you do have to wonder what is being gained by selecting a player who isn’t fit enough for selection for his club.
The Netherlands have taken the exact opposite approach with Nathan Ake. Given that Ake’s injury woes this season began on international duty it is refreshing to see a country so what’s best for the player. That is increasingly rare to see in modern football.
It does appear that a club versus country row may be brewing over Jack Grealish. But you have to wonder if the entire situation could have been avoided. Time will tell if the selection of Jack Grealish by Lee Carsley was a wise move or not. But what happens over the coming days will dictate the answer to that question.
