Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his disapproval over England’s interim head coach Lee Carsley’s decision to call up Jack Grealish for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland. The selection has come as a surprise given Grealish’s lack of game time and ongoing struggles with injury. The 29-year-old midfielder has been sidelined since Manchester City’s last-gasp victory over Wolverhampton on October 20, immediately after the previous international break.
Despite Grealish’s absence from competitive play for nearly three weeks, Carsley defended his choice, stating that Grealish had resumed training “for a couple of days” and would be further assessed upon joining the national squad. Guardiola, however, has already ruled out the £100 million ex-Aston Villa star from City’s crucial Premier League clash against Brighton on Saturday and raised questions about the reasoning behind Carsley’s selection.
“National teams always play in this period and I’m always pleased for players to go—when they are fit and haven’t struggled for the past one, two, three, or four weeks,” Guardiola remarked, hinting at his frustration. When informed of Carsley’s comments about Grealish’s supposed return to training, Guardiola was quick to clarify the reality of the player’s condition. “In 17 days, he didn’t train once. Today was the first training, and he trained for 20 minutes. That is the reality,” the City manager emphasized. “Yes, he was in the gym for a few minutes over the past two days, but it’s a question for the manager from the UK [England]—I’m not involved.”
The Spaniard also noted that he had not communicated with Carsley regarding the matter and was unaware of any dialogue between the English Football Association (FA) and Manchester City’s medical team. Guardiola revealed that he had spoken directly with Grealish about the situation, and the midfielder expressed his willingness to report for international duty. “They can select who they want,” Guardiola acknowledged, adding, “Jack has had two or three setbacks in terms of injuries and could not get his rhythm.”
Grealish’s struggle to find form has been evident throughout the current season. After being left out of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad, he returned to pre-season training early, determined to make an impression. However, the results have been less than stellar. So far this campaign, he has contributed just two assists and has yet to find the back of the net for Manchester City.
Guardiola has been managing a string of injury issues within his squad, including Grealish’s England teammates Kyle Walker and John Stones, who have also faced spells on the sidelines. City’s injury woes extend further, with key players such as Ballon d’Or winner Rodri ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury, while playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is only just returning to action following a lengthy absence. Additionally, winger Jeremy Doku and defender Nathan Ake have both recently suffered injuries, compounding Guardiola’s selection challenges.
City’s upcoming fixture against Brighton presents a critical test for Guardiola, who is aiming to prevent an unprecedented four-match losing streak in his managerial career. Recent defeats to Tottenham, Bournemouth, and Sporting Lisbon over a 10-day span have added pressure to the reigning champions, who are struggling to maintain their typically high standards amid mounting injuries and inconsistent form.
Unlike previous international breaks, Guardiola will not be heading to Abu Dhabi for a period of rest and reflection. Instead, his focus remains firmly on resolving City’s current issues. Moreover, the speculation surrounding Guardiola’s long-term future at Manchester City continues to simmer, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season. His past two contract renewals were finalized during the November international break, but the manager has dismissed any possibility of such discussions taking place this year.
“I have said many times, we won’t talk about it,” Guardiola reiterated when asked about his future. “When it happens, it happens. We’re in touch regularly. What happens is always for the benefit of the club.”
As Guardiola navigates these challenging times, his criticism of Grealish’s call-up highlights a broader concern about the balance between club and international commitments, especially when it comes to player welfare. For City, every player’s availability is crucial as they seek to regain their footing in a highly competitive Premier League race. For Grealish, the upcoming international matches could provide an opportunity to rebuild his form and confidence—if he is indeed fit enough to take the field. Only time will tell whether this contentious decision proves beneficial or backfires for both club and country.