Kyle Walker's brutal reality check to Jack Grealish over England snub raises Man City questions

Kyle Walker may be Jack Grealish's captain at Manchester City, but the defender has risked upsetting his teammate by sending a brutal reality check regarding his England rejection.

Grealish has had a frustrating season with City, hampered by injury and fitness issues that prevented him from holding down a place on the left-wing. The good form of Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku also pushed Grealish down the pecking order, with his lack of minutes ultimately proving costly as Grealish was omitted from the England squad for Euro 2024.

That snub has been widely commented on, either in support or opposition, and now Walker has offered his opinion in perhaps the most significant intervention so far from a City perspective.

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Having been appointed England vice-captain for the tournament behind Harry Kane, Walker was asked about Grealish's omission, and chose to back Gareth Southgate rather than question his manager's decision and back his teammate.

Speaking to ITV Sport, Walker said: "I was shocked because I know what Jack can do. [But] was I shocked because of the players that he [Southgate] has brought in? No, because I think they’re all at a great quality and they’ve all had fantastic seasons.

“I think Jack would be the first one to say he could have had a better season. I think he’s come out publicly and said he could have had a better season. So what does a manager base it on? Form or people that he knows have had good tournaments or a good season the season before?

“You’re here on merit. And I believe it should