THE FALLOUT FROM former Ireland U21 international Jack Grealish’s decision to declare for England has started, and Irish fans’ disappointment is unlikely to be quelled by the latest reports.
Luke Edwards of The Telegraph claims his sources suggest that Grealish’s decision was based primarily on “commercial” reasons.
Grealish or Villa have yet to comment on these claims, though Grealish’s agent, Jonathan Barnett recently lamented Gareth Bale’s decision to choose Wales over England, saying:
“It has cost him millions and millions of pounds. You can imagine what it would have been like if he were playing for England next summer in the Euros… but he does love playing for Wales.”
The reaction to rumours that Grealish’s decison was influenced by finance has been predictably swift. Barry Glendenning of The Guardian was among those to weigh in, writing:
“In a sport where it seems that everything, including national allegiance, now comes attached with a pound sign, it is not difficult to imagine what counsel Barnett has been providing Grealish with in recent months. A player who is unlikely to end up short of a bob or two even if he never, ever plays senior international football, we can only hope he has made his decision to play for England for the right reasons, rather than the more sensible financial ones.”
