Jack Grealish, the charismatic Manchester City winger, is facing a pivotal moment in his career. Excluded from the club’s 27-man squad for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, the 29-year-old has responded with a bold statement of intent, showcasing his dedication to fitness during the off-season. Meanwhile, his close friend and teammate Erling Haaland, grappling with Miami’s scorching climate, has publicly lamented Grealish’s absence, highlighting the emotional toll of their fractured partnership. As speculation swirls about Grealish’s future at the Etihad, his latest moves signal a determination to reclaim his place—whether with City or elsewhere.
Grealish, who joined Manchester City from Aston Villa in 2021 for a British-record £100 million, has seen his role diminish significantly. Once a key figure in City’s 2023 treble-winning campaign, starting 23 Premier League matches that season, he managed just seven starts in the 2024-25 season, playing only 22% of available league minutes. Pep Guardiola’s tactical shift toward a faster, more vertical style has left Grealish, known for his “pausa” and ball retention, struggling to fit. His omission from the Club World Cup squad, which kicks off against Morocco’s Wydad AC on June 18, is seen as a clear signal that City are open to letting him move on. “It’s nothing personal with Jack,” Guardiola said after leaving Grealish out of the final Premier League match against Fulham. “I’m the person who fought for him to come here and to stay here this season and the last season. I want Jack Grealish.”
Undeterred, Grealish has turned his holiday into a training camp, sharing an Instagram post captioned, “Late night runs on holiday. Feeling good,” with a running man and flexed biceps emoji, revealing a chiseled physique honed through rigorous workouts. The post, a defiant message to critics and Guardiola alike, underscores his commitment to regaining his form. Injuries, including a groin issue during a Champions League match against Real Madrid in February and an earlier setback after a standout performance against Nottingham Forest, have hampered his season. Yet, his recent social media activity, including a video captioned “Peaceful” showing him relaxing by the sea, suggests a player balancing intense preparation with mental reset.
Across the Atlantic, Haaland, City’s prolific striker, is feeling the void left by his best friend. The Norwegian, who scored 31 goals across all competitions in 2024-25, posted a poignant Snapchat from City’s flight to Florida, captioned, “Jack Grealish where are you,” with a crying emoji, as he sat beside an empty seat meant for Grealish. Their bond, forged since Haaland’s 2022 arrival from Borussia Dortmund, has been a highlight of City’s recent era. From living on the same floor in a Manchester apartment block to Haaland’s exuberant “I f***ing love you” outburst during a 2023 Sky Sports interview, their friendship has endeared them to fans. “We’ve got a great relationship,” Grealish said in 2023. “When you have a relationship like that off the pitch, on the pitch it makes it that much easier.”
Haaland’s Miami misadventure added a lighter note to the saga. Struggling with temperatures soaring past 30°C, he shared a Snapchat captioned, “Norwegian in Miami = sunburned,” poking fun at his fair-skinned plight. As City prepare to face Wydad, Al Ain, and Juventus in the Club World Cup group stage, Haaland’s focus remains on leading the attack, but Grealish’s absence looms large. England manager Thomas Tuchel has also weighed in, urging Grealish to secure regular playing time to reclaim his national team spot ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Clubs like Everton, Aston Villa, and European sides are reportedly interested, though City’s £40 million valuation and Grealish’s £300,000-a-week wages may push suitors toward a loan deal.
As City chase glory in the revamped 32-team tournament, Grealish stands at a crossroads. His exclusion follows a season of limited opportunities, with younger players like Savinho and Claudio Echeverri often preferred. “Jack has to play,” Guardiola insisted, emphasizing the need for Grealish to rediscover his treble-winning spark. Whether he can do so at City or must seek a new home, Grealish’s summer fitness regime and Haaland’s heartfelt posts underscore a narrative of resilience, friendship, and uncertainty in the high-stakes world of elite football.
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