Coach Southgate warns Grealish.

Malta manager Gareth Southgate has asked Jack Grealish and the rest of the Manchester City squad to stop drinking and partying after joining the England national team.

* Malta vs. UK: 1:45 PM Saturday, June 17th, Hanoi time.

"There is a limit and we are always monitoring where every player is," Southgate said on June 15 at a press conference ahead of the Malta match in Group C of the Euro 2024 qualifiers. "I have spoken to the players about what they need to focus on. I know what they have been through and that is my responsibility, but whatever I can say to the players, I will do it privately. There is no point in making those conversations public."

Coach Southgate at a press conference in Malta on June 15. Photo: FA

The 52-year-old coach admitted he is having a novel experience, having never led a group of players to a treble – the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup – before. He believes this achievement will change everything in the players' lives, but stressed that they have not been distracted since joining the national team.

Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Phil Foden, and Kalvin Phillips were among the 25-man England squad preparing for the two Group C Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Malta on June 16th and North Macedonia on June 19th. However, this group of players celebrated Manchester City's treble victory for three consecutive days and only joined the squad on the evening of June 14th.

After the 1-0 Champions League final victory over Inter, Walker jokingly said he was ready to drink, party, and apologize to manager Southgate. Grealish said he stayed up for two days straight celebrating before the trophy parade in Manchester on the afternoon of June 12th.

Southgate had previously expressed displeasure when his players partied, drank alcohol, and posted about it on social media, leading to the photos and videos being made public in the media. However, Southgate stated that the group of five Manchester City players are ready to play against Malta, but the starting lineup has not yet been decided.

Grealish (wearing glasses and a hooded sweatshirt) was drunk and had to be helped along by Kyle Walker (left) after an all-night party in Ibiza on June 12. Photo: Splash — Grealish (wearing glasses and a hooded sweatshirt) was drunk and had to be helped along by Kyle Walker (left) after an all-night party in Ibiza on June 12. Photo: *Splash*

Southgate said he experienced a similar situation in 2019, when Liverpool faced Tottenham in the Champions League final, while England played in the Nations League semi-final just three days later. At that time, the Three Lions lost 1-3 to the Netherlands and then won against Switzerland on penalties in the third-place playoff.

"We're used to dealing with this, and we understand the players," Southgate shared. "Our focus now is on the team. I've told the players that I have to push them to get the results we need. The responsibility is on them; they have to support each other and perform as they want."

England currently leads Group C with six points, after winning 2-1 against Italy and 2-0 against Ukraine.

Hong Duy

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