Jack Grealish claims Manchester rival Luke Shaw told him ‘you can tell who plays for Man City in the England camp’ because they ‘always have a ball’ in training
Luke Shaw has told England’s Manchester City players that they stand out on international duty.
Five players from the Premier League champions are in Gareth Southgate‘s squad for the World Cup, with the Three Lions set to take on Senegal in their first knock-out game on Sunday evening.
Via The Sun, Grealish confirmed that Shaw had told him it was obvious which players play for Pep Guardiola’s side because they ‘always have a ball’.
Jack Grealish (right) claimed Luke Shaw (left) said it was ‘obvious’ who plays for Manchester City in the England camp
Grealish and Phil Foden (right) are two of five City stars in England’s World Cup squad
‘Luke Shaw said to me that when I come away with England you can tell who the City lads are as we always have a ball’, Grealish said.
‘It’s true. Me, Phil [Foden], even Kyle [Walker] are always wanting a ball, whether it be back home, at the camp, or here.
‘At Aston Villa players would be sitting there on their phones, then at City you’re sitting there and balls are flying across the changing room.’
Grealish’s minutes have all come from the bench so far at the World Cup during the group stage of the tournament
Grealish, alongside fellow City players Foden, Walker, Kalvin Phillips and John Stones have all enjoyed minutes at the World Cup so far.
City are known for dominating the ball in games and controlling proceedings, a style that Southgate does not always employ, but the players are keen to have a ball at their feet nonetheless.
It’s unclear how many of the five players will start England’s game against Senegal, with Stones the only mainstay so far.
Walker started his first game of the tournament against Wales after recovering from injury, while Foden too started for the first time and scored.
Grealish and Phillips, however, have been limited to substitute appearances.
