Skip to content

Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish receives England U21 call-up

Jack Grealish returned to action against Arsenal on December 13

Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish has been named in an England U21 squad for the first time since switching his allegiance from the Republic of Ireland.

The 20-year-old had already represented Ireland at U21 level but was granted a request to swap associations by FIFA in March, after rejecting a call-up to Martin O'Neill's senior side.

And Grealish has now been included by England U21 manager Gareth Southgate for the upcoming Toulon tournament in France, despite making only six senior appearances this year for relegated Villa.

Jack Grealish has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level
Image: Grealish has previously represented the Republic of Ireland at U21 level

After breaking into the first team last season, Grealish suffered a dip in form and was left out of the squad in November after being photographed in a nightclub hours after a 4-0 defeat to Everton.

Also See:

Jordan Cousins of England battles with Wendell of Brazil during the Toulon Tournament Group B match in May 2014
Image: England have finished fourth at the last two Toulon tournaments in France

The Young Lions squad will face Portugal in their opening game of the tournament on May 16, before tackling Guinea, Paraguay and Japan in their remaining group games.

Squad: Gunn (Man City), Pickford (Sunderland), Chambers (Arsenal), Chilwell (Leicester), Galloway (Everton), Hause (Wolves), Iorfa (Wolves), Stephens (Southampton), Targett (Southampton), Baker (Vitesse Arnhem), Grimes (Swansea), Chalobah (Napoli), Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), Swift (Chelsea), Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Grealish (Aston Villa), Palmer (Chelsea) Redmond (Norwich), Watmore (Sunderland), Woodrow (Fulham).

Around Sky