Kevin De Bruyne's opinion on Jack Grealish before England axe speaks volumes

England manager Gareth Southgate must now address the "creative problems" that Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne believed Jack Grealish would resolve for him.

The decision to leave Grealish out of the Three Lions squad for Euro 2024 has stirred conversations both within and outside the camp. His international team-mates were reportedly shocked by the call, with a senior player said to have even approached the manager about it.

And the Germany national team are claimed to have expressed surprise, as they were more fearful of Grealish's skills with the ball at his feet compared to those vying for his place on the plane. Now, Southgate is pinning his hopes on the likes of Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze, and Jarrod Bowen to step up and fill his void.

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De Bruyne singled out Grealish back in 2020 after their clash in the Nations League and before they became team-mates at Manchester City. Praising his talent, the Belgian said: "I rate him very highly.

"He’s somebody I mentioned before, talking to the team-mates at City, in a random conversation. In England, they talked about creative problems in midfield, but he brings that to a team. He deserves a shot."

As Grealish's absence looms large over the upcoming Euros, its impact, if any, on England's performance remains to be seen. But former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic is somewhat relieved that Serbia won't have to grapple with him in their opening group match.

Featuring a design that "disrupts history with a modern take on a classic". The new England shirt has trim on the cuffs