• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Paul Merson has bizarre theory on why Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon were picked over Jack Grealish

Home> Football> England

Published 15:13 24 Jun 2024 GMT+1

Paul Merson has bizarre theory on why Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon were picked over Jack Grealish

Gareth Southgate's squad selection has been called into question

Marcus Banks

Marcus Banks

Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave out Jack Grealish from England’s Euro 2024 squad has sparked debate after a lacklustre start to the tournament.

England currently sit top of Group C heading into their final group game against Slovenia on four points after beating Serbia but drawing with Denmark.

The 1-1 draw against Denmark in particular has brought into focus Southgate’s squad selection, with many ex-players suggesting the likes of Grealish and Marcus Rashford would have given England something they’re currently lacking.

Advert

Neither Cole Palmer or Anthony Gordon have played a single minute in the tournament so far after stellar club campaigns and Arsenal hero Paul Merson has an interesting theory as to why they were called up.

Questioned what the pair would be thinking on Jeff Stelling’s Football Greatest podcast, Merson suggested Southgate selected them both to avoid conflict over playing time.

“That’s why they’re there and Jack Grealish is not there,” Merson said. “I imagine Jack would be going mad now.

Advert

“I can’t imagine Gordon and Palmer saying anything, I just imagine them sitting there just saying to themselves ‘maybe I should be getting on’. I don’t see them saying anything to [Southgate].

“I can see a Jack Grealish going to Gareth ‘why am I not not playing?’

“He brings on Eze, who's one of our most gifted players, to do a job. He's running back.”

Merson also questioned Southgate’s substitutions and believes Palmer in particular should have been given the chance to impress.

Advert

Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon haven't played a minute (Getty)
Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon haven't played a minute (Getty)

He added: “He puts Bowen on the other side. Bowen is alright if you want to keep a lead, if you're winning like we were last week, we're one-nil up, you put him out on the right, he'll do what it says on the tin. He'll get up and down. He'll block crosses and get crosses in.

"But you don't put him on to go and win a game in my opinion. There are horses for courses.

"You've got to put Palmer on, he's scored 20 goals this season. He can play with that bit of flair. Eze gets on and doesn't touch the ball. There's no plan.

Advert

"I'd play Watkins but I'd have to keep Kane in the team. I'd have to find a way. You've got to keep world-class players on the football pitch."

England face Slovenia at 8pm on June 25.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: England, Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford, Paul Merson, Cole Palmer

Marcus Banks
Marcus Banks

Marcus Banks is a social media editor for SPORTbible. He previously worked for publications such as the Liverpool Echo, Daily Mirror, Manchester Evening News and Dexerto. Specialises in football and MMA.

X

@MarcusBanksX

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
10 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Second Real Madrid player leaves the club immediately after PSG defeat with huge deal in the works

    Real Madrid were battered by Paris Saint Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup.

    Football
  • 3 hours ago

    Sir Alex Ferguson left 'furious' by 'careless' piece of commentary by Martin Tyler as full story revealed

    Martin Tyler angered Sir Alex Ferguson with his comment on commentary and apologised to the Manchester United legend.

    Football
  • 10 hours ago

    Thibaut Courtois calls out his own Real Madrid teammates as he makes outrageous claim after PSG defeat

    Real Madrid were eliminated from the Club World Cup following their crushing defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

    Football
  • 10 hours ago

    Real Madrid fans turn on two players after embarrassing defeat to PSG in FIFA Club World Cup

    Los Blancos were hammered 4-0 by the Champions League winners.

    Football
  • Jack Grealish makes major Man City decision after brutal England snub
  • Paul Scholes reveals the two players England missed against Serbia and makes damning claim
  • Jack Grealish 'told' new reason why he was dropped from England's Euro 2024 squad
  • Jack Grealish uploads footage of himself training at another club after England snub