Jack Grealish, the charismatic winger whose flair once lit up Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign, finds himself at a crossroads as his future at the Etihad Stadium hangs in the balance. The 29-year-old England international was conspicuously absent from City’s 27-man squad for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, set to kick off on June 18 in the United States. This omission, coupled with stinging remarks from World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit, has sparked intense speculation about Grealish’s commitment and his place in Pep Guardiola’s meticulously crafted squad. As City prepare to face Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia, the narrative surrounding Grealish’s “immature” behavior and perceived “commitment issue” has cast a shadow over his illustrious tenure with the Premier League giants.
Grealish’s journey with Manchester City began with a bang in 2021, when he joined from Aston Villa for a then-British record £100 million. His infectious energy and mazy dribbles were pivotal in City’s 2022-23 treble, including a Champions League final triumph over Inter Milan, where he played every minute. “It’s what you work your whole life for,” Grealish said after that victory, celebrating alongside teammates in scenes that captured his larger-than-life personality. Yet, the past two seasons have seen his star dim. Limited to just 16 starts across all competitions in 2024-25 and only 1,520 minutes on the pitch—less than half his treble-season total—Grealish has been overtaken by younger talents like Jeremy Doku and Savinho. His exclusion from the Club World Cup squad, confirmed on June 11, 2025, alongside veterans like Kyle Walker, signals a potential end to his City chapter.
Emmanuel Petit, the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder who won the 1998 World Cup with France, didn’t mince words when addressing Grealish’s struggles. Pointing to a “commitment issue,” Petit suggested that Grealish’s off-field behavior has contributed to his slide down the pecking order. While Petit’s critique focused on perceived immaturity, others have noted Grealish’s history of public missteps, including a 2015 incident at Aston Villa where he was photographed inhaling nitrous oxide, drawing a warning from then-manager Tim Sherwood. “We can’t condone that behaviour,” Sherwood said at the time, a sentiment that echoes in today’s discourse. Despite these incidents, Grealish’s professionalism has often been praised. Pep Guardiola himself once lauded him as “an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days,” yet admitted after a 2-0 win over Fulham in May 2025 that Grealish’s limited minutes were a matter of “selection.”
Guardiola’s frustration has been palpable. “Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack, and that’s why I played Savinho,” he said earlier this season, challenging Grealish to fight for his spot. The manager’s decision to prioritize new signings like Tijjani Reijnders, acquired for £46.3 million from AC Milan, and emerging stars like Claudio Echeverri in critical moments—such as the FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace—underscores the shifting dynamics at City. Former City goalkeeper Shay Given, who played alongside Grealish at Villa, called the situation “criminal,” lamenting that a “generational talent” is being reduced to a “mannequin on the wing” under Guardiola’s rigid system.
Off the pitch, Grealish’s relatability remains a hallmark. His heartfelt goal celebration for a young City fan with cerebral palsy during the 2022 World Cup earned widespread praise, reflecting the authenticity that endears him to fans. “There’s no filter,” Grealish said in a recent club video, a nod to his unpolished charm. Yet, his high-profile lifestyle, including post-treble celebrations where he was seen stumbling off a plane, has fueled perceptions of a “party boy” image. While Guardiola defended him against such criticism in 2024, stating, “I pay a lot of attention to behaviour on and off the pitch,” the manager’s recent comments suggest Grealish must prove himself anew.
With two years left on his £300,000-per-week contract, Grealish’s next move is uncertain. Interest from Premier League clubs like Everton and European sides has surfaced, but his hefty wages pose a challenge. A loan move, similar to Jadon Sancho’s, is a possibility, though Grealish prefers a permanent transfer. His exclusion from England’s Euro 2024 squad and the looming 2026 World Cup add urgency to his need for regular football. As City chase glory in the Club World Cup, Grealish’s absence marks a turning point. Will he rediscover the “old Jack” that dazzled at Villa, or will this be the final chapter of a complicated City saga?
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