Manchester City fans have been left puzzled and frustrated after Jack Grealish was included in the latest England squad, despite being sidelined due to injury. The 29-year-old winger has not featured for his club since picking up an injury in training ahead of their dominant 5-0 Champions League win over Sparta Prague earlier this season. Despite his absence from Manchester City’s last five matches — during which the team has suffered three consecutive defeats for the first time since 2018 — Grealish was surprisingly called up by interim England manager Lee Carsley for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
With the injury-plagued Grealish still recovering, fans have flocked to social media to express their confusion over the decision, questioning why he would be selected for international duty when he is not fit to play for his club. The situation has sparked a wider debate about international selection policies, player fitness, and the priorities of national team managers versus club managers. Many fans have pointed out the apparent contradiction in Grealish being unavailable for Manchester City but deemed fit for national duty.
### Grealish’s Injury and City’s Struggles
The mystery surrounding Grealish’s England call-up comes amid a difficult period for Manchester City. Since the winger picked up his injury in training ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against Sparta Prague, the Premier League champions have struggled without him in the side. The 29-year-old has missed five consecutive matches, which included a series of crucial losses for Pep Guardiola’s side.
City’s most recent defeat came on November 2, 2024, when they were beaten 2-1 by Bournemouth, a result that saw them surrender the Premier League top spot to Liverpool, now managed by Arne Slot. This loss marked City’s third consecutive defeat, which has placed Guardiola’s side in second position in the league — a significant dip considering their recent dominance in English football. The loss to Bournemouth, paired with consecutive defeats to other sides, highlighted how much the team has missed the presence of key players like Grealish, who provides both creativity and consistency on the left wing.
With City now playing catch-up in the Premier League, the timing of Grealish’s injury could not have been worse for the team. His absence, along with other injury concerns, has caused a rift in the City lineup and left fans questioning whether the England international could have returned sooner. However, with Grealish still recovering from the injury, his surprise call-up to the England squad seems to have caught fans off guard.
### England Call-Up Despite Injury
It is not unusual for international managers to select players who are carrying minor injuries or who are recovering from injuries, especially when the player is an established talent. However, the selection of Grealish — who has missed significant time for Manchester City — raised questions about his fitness and the timing of his call-up. Given that Grealish has been unavailable for City’s recent fixtures, including their critical losses, his inclusion in the England squad came as a surprise to many.
Fans quickly took to social media to voice their frustration and confusion. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), many wondered why Grealish was included in the national team when it was clear he had not fully recovered from his injury. Some questioned whether the selection was a political move, or if there was another reason for his call-up despite his lack of match fitness. Others expressed concern that this decision could ultimately hinder Grealish’s recovery process or lead to further complications in his recovery timeline.
Some fans also noted the inherent contradiction of Grealish being unavailable for Manchester City, but still being deemed fit for international duty. “How can Grealish be out for City but still be picked for England? Something doesn’t add up,” wrote one concerned supporter. Another fan added, “This makes no sense. We’ve been crying out for Grealish to get fit, but now he’s called up to the national team when he’s not even playing for City?”
Such reactions are not unexpected given the often intense scrutiny that players face when balancing their club and international duties. The decision to call up a player who is injured, especially when his club side is struggling, often leads to heated debates over the priorities of both club and country.
### The Role of Lee Carsley and England’s Interim Period
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Grealish’s call-up comes during a transitional period for the England national team. Lee Carsley has been serving as the interim manager following the departure of Gareth Southgate, and many believe that Carsley, who is managing England for the first time in a competitive international fixture, might be making decisions based on loyalty to players like Grealish, who has been a consistent presence for England in recent years.
While Carsley may have his reasons for including Grealish in the squad — potentially valuing his experience and leadership in the locker room — the timing of the selection has been questioned by fans and pundits alike. It’s also worth noting that the Nations League fixtures against Greece and the Republic of Ireland are not as high-stakes as major tournaments like the European Championship or World Cup, leading some to wonder if a more cautious approach, where only fully fit players are called up, might have been more appropriate.
### Manchester City Fans Express Concern for Grealish’s Well-Being
While many fans of England are likely happy to see Grealish in the national team fold, City supporters have expressed concern not just over his fitness, but also over the potential strain it could place on their star player. Given the importance of Grealish to Guardiola’s tactics and his pivotal role on the wing, fans are worried that his participation in international fixtures while not fully fit could lead to a longer-term injury or prevent him from regaining his best form for City.
“How does this help Jack Grealish?” one fan tweeted. “He’s been struggling to get fit for City, and now he’s being risked for international games that aren’t even that important right now. We need him back for City, not England.”
Guardiola has been known for being cautious with his players’ injuries, and City fans are hoping that the club’s medical team can get Grealish back to full fitness quickly, without further setbacks. The pressure is mounting on Guardiola to find a solution to his side’s injury woes, particularly with key players missing and important fixtures ahead.
### The Bigger Picture: International Duty vs Club Responsibility
The Grealish saga brings to the forefront an ongoing debate in football: the balance between club and international duty. Top players like Grealish are expected to give their all for both their club and country, but this can sometimes put them in difficult situations, especially when recovering from injuries. The decision to include an injured player in an international squad, especially when the player’s club is struggling, highlights the complex nature of modern football, where the demands of both club and country often conflict.
Fans, especially those of club teams, often find themselves in a tough position when one of their star players is called up for international duty while recovering from an injury. On one hand, there’s a sense of pride in seeing their player represent their country. On the other, there’s concern about the potential risks involved for both the player’s well-being and the club’s success.
### Conclusion: A Controversial Call-Up
As Jack Grealish’s fitness continues to be a point of concern for Manchester City fans, his call-up to the England squad adds another layer of complexity to his injury situation. While the decision to include him may have been made with the best intentions by Lee Carsley, it has sparked confusion and frustration among City supporters, who feel that Grealish should be fully focused on his recovery to help City turn their season around. As the international break approaches, all eyes will be on Grealish to see how his injury is managed and whether his inclusion in the England squad will prove to be a wise decision — or one that may have long-term consequences for both his club and national team prospects.