Reports say Grealish has suffered a foot stress fracture that required surgery and ended his club season early. For any player, that is a problem. For a player already outside the current England picture, it is bigger than that.
Tuchel’s squad calls appear to be shaped by rhythm and availability as much as raw talent.
In practical terms, the setback reduces his visibility at the exact moment selection battles intensify.
The broader point is about how Tuchel wants this team built. He has made it clear, the report says, that international football is not about collecting the “most talented players” and hoping it clicks.
That line matters. It explains why high-profile omissions can happen without it being a personal judgment on quality.
That logic does not only affect Grealish. The debate has widened because other big names, including Phil Foden, have also been left out.
For Grealish, the challenge now looks straightforward, even if it is difficult. He must get fit, stay fit, and then show he fits a specific structure rather than simply offering flair. At Manchester City, reputation was never likely to be enough. Under Tuchel’s England, it appears even less so.
The next phase will be worth watching closely: first the recovery, then the opening squad announcement after his return, when the manager’s preference for fit over fame may be tested again.