The summer of 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for two of England’s brightest football talents, Jack Grealish and Ben Chilwell, as both face uncertain futures after being omitted from their clubs’ FIFA Club World Cup squads. Grealish, Manchester City’s £100 million star, and Chilwell, Chelsea’s sidelined left-back, are at career crossroads, with their lack of playing time sparking speculation about moves to reignite their careers. As the transfer window looms, both players are determined to find new challenges to secure their spots in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Grealish’s exclusion from Manchester City’s 27-man squad for the Club World Cup, which kicks off against Morocco’s Wydad AC in Philadelphia on June 18, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the football world. Once a linchpin in City’s 2022-23 treble-winning campaign, the 29-year-old winger started just seven Premier League matches in the 2024-25 season, overshadowed by new signings like Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders, as well as established stars like Jérémy Doku and Savinho. Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, was candid about the decision, emphasizing it was tactical, not personal. “The only reason [Grealish] didn’t play minutes was me, not because he was incorrect or whatever,” Guardiola said, praising Grealish’s quality. “I don’t have any doubts about the qualities of Jack. The year of the treble would have been impossible [without him].” Yet, he acknowledged Grealish’s need for regular football: “Jack is an exceptional player. He has to play.”
The winger’s limited minutes—16 starts across 35 appearances last season—have cost him his England spot, with Gareth Southgate omitting him from Euro 2024, a decision Grealish called “the most difficult thing I have had to deal with in my career.” With Tuchel now at the helm, Grealish is desperate to prove himself. “I love Jack for his personality and of course his talent,” Tuchel said, but stressed, “He is a very unique player who can handle big pressure on the field. He grows in big matches but he’s a player who needs minutes and minutes and minutes.” Potential suitors, including Everton, Tottenham, and Napoli, are circling, though Grealish’s £300,000-per-week wages and City’s £50 million valuation may necessitate a loan move. Social media posts show Grealish staying sharp with off-season runs, signaling his determination to rediscover his flair.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell faces a similar plight. The 28-year-old left-back, part of a £179 million quartet excluded from Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad alongside Raheem Sterling, João Félix, and Axel Disasi, has seen his career stall. Signed for £45 million in 2020, Chilwell played just one game last season before a loan to Crystal Palace, where he was an unused substitute in their FA Cup final victory over City. His absence from Chelsea’s plans under Enzo Maresca, who favors Marc Cucurella and new signing Aaron Anselmino, has left Chilwell “wasting away in the reserves,” as one observer put it. “Chilwell needs a fresh start to get happy again,” a source close to the player noted, echoing his desire to revive the form that made him a standout at Leicester.
Chilwell’s exclusion highlights Chelsea’s ruthless squad overhaul, with the club prioritizing youth and versatility. Like Grealish, his high wages pose a challenge for potential transfers, but interest from clubs like West Ham and European sides offers hope. Both players share a common goal: regular football to secure World Cup spots. “It’s a dream come true to be part of this club,” Grealish said upon joining City in 2021, but now, a new dream beckons—a club where he can shine consistently. For Chilwell, the sentiment is similar, with his camp emphasizing, “He needs to play to show what he’s capable of.”
As the Club World Cup unfolds in the US, Grealish and Chilwell are using the time to explore their options. The transfer market is abuzz with possibilities, from Premier League rivals to European giants like Bayern Munich for Grealish or a return to Leicester for Chilwell. Their stories underscore the brutal reality of top-tier football, where even stars can fade without minutes. Yet, with their talent and determination, both are poised to turn exclusion into opportunity, chasing new adventures to reclaim their places among the elite.
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