Jack Grealish has been spotted in an Ireland shirt after Gareth Southgate opted to leave him out of England’s Euro 2024 squad.
The Man City star chose the Three Lions over the Boys in Green having played at underage level for the Republic but appears to regret that call now after Gareth Southgate dropped him from the group heading to Germany this week.
“Jack’s gutted, naturally” a close associate of the ex-Villa hero said following the news. “He’s so upset he’s thinking about switching back to Ireland. We’ve already explained 14 times to him that he’s not allowed to by FIFA and it’s not gotten through to him.
“We’re hoping another 10-times, accompanied by a Tiktok explainer on the difference between Ireland and England and maybe a tattoo of FIFA’s eligibility criteria on his forehead – in reverse so he can read it in the mirror – might do the trick, but right now he’s adamant he wants to join back up with the Ireland squad for their trip to Portugal this week!
“We think he just fancies the piss-up in the Algarve, to be honest.”
Despite “winning” another Premier League title with Man City* this season, his omission from the England’s 26-man panel caps a disappointing season for Grealish, who only made it to Ibiza ONCE during the campaign, a source of deep frustration for the 26-year-old.
“Look, Jack’s a natural competitor – there’s no way he won’t make it back to Ushuaïa Ibiza at least three times during next season, that’s a promise,” our source said.
The floppy-haired forward was also absent from the City team for much of the season, with the likes of Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku and Julian Alvarez all favoured by Pep Guardiola instead.
“Obviously it’s disappointing not to play in big games, but on the plus side, he wasn’t covered in quite as much spit from a bald man berating him in a ridiculous cardigan this season, so swings and roundabouts.”
And as far as Grealish’s international future is concerned, the prospects look bleak.
“England only need to turn up and they’ll win the Euros if the press is to be believed, so Jack’s not likely to force his way back into the squad any time soon, is he?” our source explained.
Though that need not be the only avenue available for the England outcast, with the FAI already exploring opportunities for the talented winger.
“Ryanair flight to Turkey, bit of plastic surgery, one passport in the name of Jack O‘Grealish and he can get in the Ireland squad,” an insider at the association said.
“We’ll sort that out right after we’ve appointed an new manager, so mid-2027 at the earliest.”
*Paddy Power’s football coverage is pure fantasy – don’t believe it for a second.
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