Jack Grealish, Manchester City’s £100 million star, has unleashed a fiery response to a social media troll who claimed he’s “been bad lately” for the club, as speculation about his future intensifies following a series of brutal snubs by manager Pep Guardiola. The 29-year-old England international, whose flair and charisma once lit up the Etihad Stadium during City’s 2023 Treble-winning campaign, is fighting to reclaim his place in a squad where he’s been sidelined. His latest retort, coupled with Guardiola’s recent decisions, paints a picture of a player at a crossroads, with his time at City hanging in the balance as the summer transfer window looms.
The controversy erupted after Grealish was left out of City’s squad for their pivotal 2-0 victory over Fulham on the final day of the 2024-25 Premier League season, a result that secured Champions League qualification. The omission was particularly stinging following his absence from the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace, where Guardiola opted for 19-year-old debutant Claudio Echeverri and veteran Ilkay Gundogan over Grealish when chasing an equalizer in a 1-0 loss. When a fan commented on a post by Grealish’s former Aston Villa teammate Gabby Agbonlahor, who suggested Guardiola’s choices felt “personal,” the winger fired back: “Haha I’ve been bad lately? Scored three goals in my last three appearances over 45 mins but okie dokie love x.” In another reply, he quipped, “What u want me to do, score a hatty in 20?” His defiance underscores a season of frustration, with just seven Premier League starts and 1,520 minutes across all competitions, a sharp decline from his Treble heroics.
Guardiola’s handling of Grealish has sparked debate. The manager, who once hailed the £100 million signing from Villa in 2021 as “unbelievable,” has been blunt about his reduced role. “Of course Jack has to play. He’s an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days. It didn’t happen this season and last season either,” Guardiola said after the Fulham match. “It’s nothing personal with Jack. I am the person who fought for him to come here and to stay here this season.” Yet, his preference for wingers like Savinho, Jeremy Doku, and Omar Marmoush has seen Grealish relegated to brief cameos, such as a six-minute stint in a 4-1 win over West Ham, where Savinho’s hat-trick of assists stole the show. “Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack,” Guardiola noted, challenging Grealish to rediscover his 2023 form.
The snubs have fueled speculation about Grealish’s departure. Reports suggest he’s unlikely to join City’s squad for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, starting June 14, 2025, a decision that could signal the end of his four-year tenure. Former City goalkeeper Shay Given declared, “The writing is on the wall,” urging Grealish to “see what is out there” to revive his career ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Alan Shearer echoed this sentiment, stating, “His time is up at Man City, he has to leave. For whatever reason, Pep’s done with him.” Grealish’s £300,000-per-week contract, which runs until 2027, complicates a potential transfer, with a loan move seen as more likely than a permanent deal. A return to Aston Villa, where he was a beloved captain, has been floated, though financial constraints and Villa’s midfield depth make it a long shot. A Bundesliga move, following Jadon Sancho’s path, is another possibility.
Despite his struggles, Grealish’s three goals this season—against Salford City, PSG in the Champions League, and another in the FA Cup—show glimpses of his talent. His off-field charisma remains undimmed, from paying for drinks at a Newcastle social club to engaging with disabled fans, earning comparisons to Paul Gascoigne. “A day off is a day off,” Guardiola said, dismissing concerns about Grealish’s social outings. Grealish himself has been candid about personal challenges, calling 2024 “the toughest year of my life” after missing England’s Euro 2024 squad. “It’s a new year, a fresh start, and hopefully I can kick on,” he said.
As City plan a squad overhaul with incoming director Hugo Viana and outgoing Txiki Begiristain, Grealish’s future hinges on crucial talks. With new signings like Tijjani Reijnders and interest in Morgan Gibbs-White, his opportunities may dwindle further. Yet, Grealish’s social media clapback signals a player determined to fight, whether at City or elsewhere, to prove he’s still the maverick who dazzled during the Treble.
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