Jack Grealish, the charismatic Manchester City winger known for his flair and infectious personality, faces a pivotal moment in his career. The 29-year-old, once a cornerstone of City’s 2023 treble-winning campaign, has been omitted from both Manchester City’s squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup and Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad for World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Senegal. This double exclusion has sparked intense speculation about Grealish’s future at the Etihad Stadium, with England’s new head coach issuing a clear directive: find regular first-team football to reclaim a spot in the Three Lions’ setup ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Grealish’s struggles this season paint a stark contrast to his earlier heroics at City, where his £100 million transfer from Aston Villa in 2021 set a British record. Limited to just seven Premier League starts in the 2024-25 season, Grealish has been overshadowed by new signings like Jeremy Doku and hampered by inconsistent form and injuries. His absence from the Club World Cup squad, set to compete in the United States from June 14 to July 13, underscores a growing acceptance that his time at City may be nearing its end. Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, has openly acknowledged the situation, stating, “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. He needs to do it, and that’s with us, or another place.” This sentiment reflects the club’s willingness to facilitate a move, potentially on loan, given Grealish’s £300,000-per-week wages and two years remaining on his contract.
Tuchel, who took over as England manager following Gareth Southgate’s departure, has expressed unwavering admiration for Grealish’s talent and character. “I love Jack for his personality and of course his talent,” Tuchel said, highlighting the winger’s ability to thrive under pressure. “He is a very unique player who can handle big pressure on the field. He’s not afraid of the Bernabéu whistles when he’s on the ball, it does not affect him, and if it affects him, only in the best way.” However, Tuchel emphasized that Grealish’s lack of game time at City has robbed him of the rhythm essential to his game. “He’s a player who needs minutes and minutes and minutes—and simply does not get them for a very long time,” Tuchel added, noting a private conversation where Grealish admitted, “Listen, Thomas, I’m not a start-stop player. It’s so hard for me to influence a match from the bench and then be on the bench again.”
The England manager’s message was not solely about footballing minutes. Tuchel subtly addressed Grealish’s off-field behavior, which has drawn scrutiny after recent images surfaced of him socializing in East Manchester and at a Wearside social club, where he reportedly spent £500 behind the bar. While Tuchel downplayed these incidents as not the primary reason for his exclusion, he urged Grealish to project a calmer image. “It’s not ideal if he is in the newspapers and out there in public, but it is maybe not just his fault,” Tuchel said. “Everyone out there has a phone in their pocket, these guys are famous, this can happen. We want to have him more calm, but this was not the reason for not picking him.”
Grealish’s response to his Club World Cup snub was fiery, as he took to social media to defend his recent performances. “Haha I’ve been bad lately? Scored three goals in my last three appearances over 45 mins but okie dokie love,” he retorted to a critic, adding, “What u want me to do, score a hatty in 20?” His frustration was palpable, echoing sentiments from former Aston Villa teammate Gabby Agbonlahor, who criticized Guardiola’s handling of the winger. Despite the setbacks, Tuchel remains optimistic about Grealish’s potential, describing him as a player who “can be the glue in the team,” capable of inspiring both young and experienced teammates.
With the transfer window looming, Grealish’s camp is expected to explore options across England and Europe, with a loan move seen as a likely outcome due to financial constraints around his high wages. City, meanwhile, are bolstering their squad with signings like AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders and Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, signaling a shift in priorities. For Grealish, the path to redemption lies in securing regular football, whether at City or elsewhere, to reignite his spark and force his way back into Tuchel’s plans. As the World Cup draws closer, the former Villa captain’s next move could define his legacy on both club and international stages.
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