Reports suggest Jack Grealish will not be in latest England squad

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Jack Grealish will not be in the England squad for upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo, according to reports. 

The Independent is reporting that whilst England boss Gareth Southgate and assistant Steve Holland did watch him in action against Everton at the weekend the squad ‘announcement has come too soon’ for the Aston Villa star. 

The Telegraph backs up that report, although state that Aston Villa team-mate Tyrone Mings could be included if John Stones cannot prove his fitness. 

The likes of Chelsea’s Mason Mount, Leicester City’s James Maddison and Tottenham’s Harry Winks are likely to be called up instead of Grealish.

Last season there was plenty of talk regarding Grealish’s international chances. He shone for Aston Villa in the final few weeks of the Championship season and plenty were wondering if he was now ready for an international chance.

However, as reported by the Telegraph in March, Southgate hinted that Grealish had to be playing Premier League football before he would find his way into the England team. 

 “When the evidence of the opponent is a different level, that’s where it’s hard to directly correlate what that is going to look like at a level above. 

“I’m not going to say we won’t pick a player from the Championship because that could happen but it’s far more difficult to assess his level… So, he’s a player we know all about, he’s a player we track. But that last bit of evidence that could give you the confidence to pick him at the moment we won’t see.”

With the season only being three games in Grealish has clearly not presented a big enough sample for his inclusion in the England squad.

However, it is clear he is on the fringes and should he perform at his best level for Aston Villa in the weeks and months to come, that elusive England cap is sure to come for the mercurial midfielder.