(Credit: Imago / Getty Images)

Ben Palmer

Mon 24 March 2025 17:27, UK

Man City star Jack Grealish’s return to the England side is expected and may be the solution to a number of of Thomas Tuchel’s problems as England manager.

The 29-year-old was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad to face Albania and Latvia, after a disappointing season for City.

Whilst Jude Bellingham and Myles Lewis-Skelly were standout performers in the 2-0 win over Albania, Phil Foden’s performance was concerning, as too was Marcus Rashford’s.

Both players struggled to have an impact on the game and they were eventually replaced by Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen in the 74th minute.

However, ex-Ireland striker, Clinton Morrison highlighted the potential return of Grealish as a player who could do well under Tuchel.

Thomas Tuchel will like ‘intelligent’ Jack Grealish

Morrison spoke on Sky Sports News about the issues on either side of England’s wings against Albania, whilst also highlighting that both Foden and Grealish needed to “adapt their game” to fit in the current Three Lions’ starting XI, saying: “Let me tell you something, you know what, you talk about Phil Foden, there was another player, he’ll be in the England squad soon when he starts playing regularly, Jack Grealish.

“I bet Thomas Tuchel will like someone like a Jack Grealish, he’ll go there, he can get on the ball and these are intelligent footballers like Merse [Paul Merson] said, they’ll be doubled up but they move the ball ever so well.

“Everyone says ‘oh, he wants to play in a 10 role’ you’ve gotta adapt your game, because not everyone can fit into it.

“Gareth [Southgate] tried to, everyone was screaming let’s put them both in at the same time, no, you’ve gotta adapt your game.”

Tim Sherwood then added that England will only ever see the best out of Grealish and Foden “when they play as a 10″ but unless Bellingham was forced to drop out of the squad, they would have to find a way of playing elsewhere, as the Real Madrid star deserves his place in the starting line-up.

Jack Grealish must focus on Man City form before England place is considered

Football Insider Verdict

One assist in 16 games for City was never going to be enough for Grealish to warrant a place in Tuchel’s England squad.

Part of the former Villa winger’s issues lie in the fact that his performances have not done enough to even justify a place in his club side’s starting XI.

One of the fundamental issues is it has often felt like Grealish has spent large parts of his career attempting to convince people he can do what they want him to do, rather than focusing on his own performances.

The winger’s move to Manchester felt like an attempt to convince Gareth Southgate he was ready to be an England regular, without consideration for how Pep Guardiola’s tactical system may affect his playstyle.

Now, with his career for both club and country stuck in the mud, it may be time for Grealish to make a move that solely benefits him, to a team willing to allow him to be the creative maestro he once was.

As highlighted by Morrison, the former Villa man is an exceptionally intelligent footballer, one whom Tuchel would likely love to have at his disposal, but he must play more and improve his performances before the German can consider him.