Troy Deeney thinks he knows the big reason Jack Grealish has been snubbed by Thomas Tuchel
Troy Deeney has told Jack Grealish what he must do to get into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Grealish was left out of Tuchel’s England squad on Friday, with the German explaining that he wanted to retain the same squad that performed last month.
The Three Lions beat both Andorra and Serbia in September, scoring seven goals and keeping two clean sheets across the week.
But time is running out, and with Grealish leading the Premier League in key passes, the winger must be wondering what more he can do to catch Tuchel‘s eye.
James Garner is also hoping to be in contention for England’s World Cup squad, with the midfielder in terrific form for Everton.
Troy Deeney suggests group harmony behind Jack Grealish absence
Alex Crook thinks Grealish has not done enough to be considered for the England squad, but the winger’s performances would disagree with that verdict.
Whilst Everton have suffered a disappointing September, the 30-year-old has continued to look more and more like his former self.
| Jack Grealish | Premier League 2025-26 |
| Appearances | 6 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Expected assists (xA) | 1.84 |
| Chances created | 17 |
| Successful dribbles | 9 |
| Fouls won | 22 |
| Duels won | 43 |
Grealish leads the Premier League in assists, expected assists, and chances created – as well as being fouled more than any other player.
For Everton, the winger has been utterly transformational, yet Tuchel’s gaze still appears to avoid him.
Deeney thinks the reason why could be down to something outside of Grealish’s control, for now.
“We gotta start looking at what Tuchel has shown us,” the former striker told talkSPORT on Friday, after the squad was confirmed.
“He doesn’t like mavericks, he doesn’t like people that colour outside of the lines.
“You see that with Ivan Toney, you see that with Jack Grealish, so I think Jack would have to be exceptional for a long time and have a lot of media noise around him to get back in this squad.
“Not because he’s not playing well – he’s played very well at Everton – but I do think that Tuchel wants a good harmonious group, and I think he thinks if he adds Jack Grealish to that, that will be a little bit different.”
Thomas Tuchel can only ignore Grealish for so long
The harmony of Tuchel’s squad will, of course, be high up on the list of priorities for the German.
But more than anything, ability and form will ultimately have to prove decisive when the England boss chooses his squad for the World Cup next year.
Should his current form persist throughout the season, Grealish simply cannot be ignored when that day does arrive.
Every title-winning squad requires a maverick who can change a game on their own, whether that is through the bravery to try something another player may not, or the ability to pull off the unthinkable.
Grealish can do exactly that, and will be prominent in Tuchel’s thoughts all the while he keeps performing for Everton.
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