Gareth Southgate, the England manager, revealed that Jack Grealish was devastated after being dropped from England’s Euros squad. This decision was particularly shocking because Grealish was informed of his exclusion after training on Thursday, adding to the agony of uncertainty surrounding his place in the squad. Southgate also made other tough decisions to exclude players like Jarrel Quansah, James Trafford, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Curtis Jones, all of whom he acknowledged were respectful in their responses. Southgate emphasized the difficulty of the decision-making process, acknowledging the devastating impact it could have on players’ careers.

He stressed that he tried to deliver the news as humanely as possible, and appreciated the respectful reactions from the players. Southgate noted that he tried to inform the players as early as he could, but the uncertainty surrounding their fitness made it challenging. He made strong decisions based on the players’ different dynamics and relationships within the group. Additionally, Southgate confirmed that Ivan Toney made the England squad due to his reputation as a penalty specialist.

Despite the likelihood of Harry Kane starting every game when fit, Southgate recognized Toney’s potential impact in a penalty shoot-out. Toney’s proficiency from the spot, having scored 29 out of 31 penalties, was highlighted as an added bonus for the squad. Southgate also acknowledged that Toney’s playing style differs from other strikers in the squad, such as Ollie Watkins. He emphasized Toney’s ability to link up and play passes for other players, distinguishing his qualities from the rest of the squad.

Overall, his inclusion was seen as a valuable addition due to his strong penalty-taking record. Lastly, the text mentions the opportunity to join a new WhatsApp community to receive daily Mirror Football content and special offers.