Jack Grealish, the charismatic Manchester City winger, has found himself at a crossroads in his career following a challenging 2024-25 season that culminated in his exclusion from the club’s FIFA Club World Cup squad. Manager Pep Guardiola, in a candid press conference ahead of City’s opening match against Moroccan side Wydad AC in the United States on June 18, 2025, shed light on the decision to leave out the 29-year-old England international. While the snub has fueled speculation about Grealish’s potential departure from the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola’s comments also hinted at a possible path for the former Aston Villa star to reclaim his place, offering a glimmer of hope to fans who still cherish his flair and personality.
Grealish’s season was marked by frustration, with only seven Premier League starts and a modest return of three goals and five assists across 32 appearances. Once a key figure in City’s 2022-23 Treble-winning campaign, Grealish has slipped down the pecking order, overtaken by dynamic wingers like Jeremy Doku and January signing Omar Marmoush. His limited involvement was starkly evident in City’s final Premier League match against Fulham, where he was left out of the squad entirely, and in the FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace, where he remained an unused substitute. “It was selection,” Guardiola said bluntly when pressed about Grealish’s absence against Fulham, emphasizing that the decision was tactical rather than personal. “The last two months, month and a half, there were five or six players at home every time, and this time I decided for these guys,” he added, highlighting the depth of his squad.
Despite the setbacks, Guardiola expressed admiration for Grealish, describing him as “an exceptional player” and “an incredible human being.” He revealed that the decision to exclude Grealish from the Club World Cup squad followed “honest” conversations between the player and the club. “He had a conversation with the club and [we] decided [what was for] the best,” Guardiola explained, suggesting that Grealish’s need to play regularly was a key factor. “Jack is an exceptional player. The only reason why he didn’t play last season is of course my decision. We decide that he has to play.” This acknowledgment has sparked speculation that a move away from City could help Grealish rediscover the “butterflies in his stomach” and reignite his passion for the game, though Guardiola left the door ajar for a potential return. “I don’t know. Now we decide don’t come here and what happens I don’t know in the end. If we don’t find, he’s a player for Man City and he will be back,” he said, offering a lifeline to the £100 million signing.
Grealish’s struggles have not gone unnoticed, with former players like Alan Shearer urging him to seek a new club to revive his career and secure a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad under Thomas Tuchel. “His time is up at Man City, he has to leave,” Shearer declared after the FA Cup final, pointing to Guardiola’s preference for younger players like Claudio Echeverri and Ilkay Gundogan in critical moments. Grealish’s absence from England’s Euro 2024 squad, coupled with his limited minutes, has intensified calls for a fresh start. Tottenham Hotspur have emerged as a potential destination, with reports suggesting they are exploring a loan or permanent transfer, though Grealish’s £300,000-per-week wages pose a challenge. Other clubs, including Newcastle United, Everton, and European sides like Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan, have also been linked, though a return to Aston Villa seems unlikely due to financial constraints.
Despite the uncertainty, Grealish’s response to City’s 2-0 win over Fulham showed his enduring connection to the team. He interacted with social media posts from teammates Ilkay Gundogan and Erling Haaland, who scored in the match that secured City’s Champions League qualification. “Great result – Champions League football secured!” Gundogan posted, while Haaland celebrated “finishing the @premierleague season with a win!” Grealish’s engagement, despite his omission, reflects his professionalism and popularity within the squad. However, with City signing new talents like Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, and Guardiola expressing a desire for a smaller squad, Grealish’s future hangs in the balance.
As Manchester City prepare for the Club World Cup and the upcoming season, the focus on Grealish underscores a pivotal moment for both player and club. Guardiola’s insistence that “it’s nothing personal” and his call for Grealish to “play every three days” suggest a mutual understanding that a change may be necessary. Whether Grealish can rediscover his Aston Villa form at City or elsewhere, his next move will be crucial in defining the legacy of one of England’s most talented and beloved footballers.
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