In a shocking twist that has sent ripples through the football world, Jack Grealish, Manchester City’s £100 million star, was left out of the squad for their crucial Premier League clash against Fulham, a match pivotal to securing a top-five finish and Champions League qualification. The decision comes just days after Grealish was spotted leaving Kevin De Bruyne’s lavish farewell party at 1:35 AM, the last of his teammates to depart the bittersweet celebration of the Belgian legend’s decade-long tenure at the Etihad. The 29-year-old winger, once a linchpin in City’s 2022-23 Treble-winning campaign, now faces an uncertain future, with crunch talks looming this summer to determine his place at the club. The dramatic omission underscores a steep decline in Grealish’s fortunes under Pep Guardiola, sparking intense speculation about his next move.
The stage was set at Craven Cottage, where Manchester City needed at least a draw to cement their spot in next season’s Champions League. Yet, Grealish, who joined City from Aston Villa in 2021 for a record-breaking £100 million, was conspicuously absent from the traveling squad. His exclusion followed a season of diminishing returns, with just seven Premier League starts and a mere 143 minutes played in the top flight since January 2025. The winger, known for his flair and ability to glide past defenders, was an unused substitute in City’s recent FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace, where Guardiola opted to give a debut to 19-year-old Claudio Echeverri instead. “We didn’t talk, I didn’t talk with him,” Guardiola said of Grealish’s situation, emphasizing that decisions about the player’s future would be handled by outgoing director of football Txiki Begiristain and his successor, Hugo Viana. “What is going to happen will happen, but we are going to start to play again. But of course he has to come back to play minutes to start to play again.”
Grealish’s fall from grace is a stark contrast to his pivotal role in City’s Treble triumph two seasons ago, where he racked up 3,686 minutes, five goals, and 11 assists. This season, his output has dwindled to three goals and five assists across 1,525 minutes, with injuries and competition from younger talents like Savinho, a £30.8 million signing from Girona, pushing him down the pecking order. Guardiola has been vocal about his expectations, stating, “Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack, and that’s why I played Savinho. I want the Jack that won the Treble.” The manager’s frustration was evident earlier in the season when he challenged Grealish to fight for his place, a call the winger has struggled to answer. Alan Shearer, speaking on a podcast, was blunt: “He doesn’t like him, his time is up, it really is.”
The timing of Grealish’s exclusion adds fuel to the narrative, coming just days after he lingered until 1:35 AM at De Bruyne’s farewell bash in Manchester. The event, a heartfelt send-off for the Belgian star who is set to join Napoli, saw City’s squad, including Pep Guardiola arriving by bike and players like Phil Foden and Erling Haaland with their partners, celebrate De Bruyne’s legacy. Grealish, decked out in ripped jeans, was the last to leave, reportedly navigating past an inebriated staff member. The late-night revelry, while a tribute to a teammate Grealish called “the King of Manchester City,” has only intensified scrutiny on his commitment, especially as his season has been cut short.
Grealish’s struggles extend beyond the pitch. His lack of form has cost him a spot in England’s national team under Thomas Tuchel, missing recent squads for matches against Andorra and Senegal. With two years left on his £300,000-a-week contract, potential suitors face challenges due to his hefty wages, but interest from clubs in the Premier League and abroad is expected. The upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States could be his last chance to shine for City, but reports suggest an exit is “almost guaranteed” this summer. “I found it really difficult,” Grealish admitted earlier this season, reflecting on a year fraught with challenges on and off the pitch. “Hopefully I can keep training well and playing a few more games.”
As Manchester City prepare for their final push, the focus remains on securing Champions League football, with De Bruyne’s departure marking the end of an era. For Grealish, the road ahead is uncertain. Once celebrated for his swagger and creativity, he now stands at a crossroads, with his boyhood club Aston Villa a distant memory and his City future hanging in the balance. The summer talks with Begiristain and Viana will be pivotal, determining whether Grealish can recapture the magic of his Treble days or if a new chapter awaits elsewhere.
# Jack Grealish’s Manchester City Future in Doubt After Fulham Snub
In a stunning move, Manchester City left Jack Grealish out of their squad for a critical Premier League match against Fulham, just days after the £100 million winger was the last to leave Kevin De Bruyne’s farewell party at 1:35 AM. The decision, made by Pep Guardiola, signals a potential end to Grealish’s tenure at the Etihad, with talks over his future set for this summer. Grealish, who joined from Aston Villa in 2021, has started just seven league games this season, with his role diminished since the 2022-23 Treble campaign. “We didn’t talk, I didn’t talk with him,” Guardiola said, leaving decisions to directors Txiki Begiristain and Hugo Viana. “What is going to happen will happen.”
Grealish’s limited 143 minutes in the Premier League since January and his absence from England’s recent squads highlight his struggles. Guardiola has favored younger players like Savinho, stating, “Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack, and that’s why I played Savinho. I want the Jack that won the Treble.” The winger’s late departure from De Bruyne’s celebration, where he honored the departing legend, has fueled debate about his focus. With a £300,000-a-week contract and interest from other clubs, Grealish faces a pivotal summer as he aims to revive his career ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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