Who doesn’t love a late morning meltdown?
International tournaments in the age of Twitter hit different to the olden days of terrestrial television. You can watch goals and exciting moments on repeat thanks to VODs posted online, and get the views of learned and informed people you follow.
It is often an enriching experience, but as with anything online, there is the little matter of people consistently losing their shit over each and every update received.
Nowhere is that more accurate than when it comes to Gareth Southgate’s England team. Before each and every match of the Euros so far – and remember, England have only played three games – leaked line-ups have been greeted with outrage, leading to new trends online, many of which often suggest that England’s manager should do something else for a living.
We’re just hours away from England’s round of 16 match up against Germany and Wembley, so what better time for ‘No Grealish’ to be trending online?
These two simple words are spreading fast due to a tweet by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who tweeted around 10.30 on Thursday morning that Bukayo Saka was expected to start against Joachim Löw’s side.
🚨 Bukayo Saka expected to start England’s #EURO2020 last-16 tie v Germany. 19yo shone in final group game & likely to join Sterling behind Kane. Mount, Grealish + Foden look set to be on bench with #ENG anticipated to go 3-4-3 @TheAthleticUK #GER #ENGGER https://t.co/E9p25ktWmw
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 29, 2021
Saka played majestically against the Czech Republic in England’s final group game – so no issues there – but it’s the implication this has on another player – you guessed it, Jack Grealish – that have angered people.
According to Ornstein, Saka’s inclusion alongside Raheem Sterling behind Harry Kane means that each of Mason Mount, Phil Foden and Grealish will start on the bench.
The reaction when you follow the trending ‘No Grealish’ topic is pretty much what you’d expect.
Anger, and a bit more anger, basically.
https://twitter.com/stoppostingnow/status/1409813100967219201?s=20
https://twitter.com/CFC_Hive/status/1409816504355459072?s=20
https://twitter.com/sid_sollis/status/1409805425340518402?s=20
Now, it is worth bearing in mind that this is not a confirmed England team, and the starting XI against Germany could well be different.
Doesn’t really matter, anyway. Everyone’s pissed off now. The only thing that will cheer them up, one suspects, is something coming home.
