Frank Christian
Manchester City’s coach, Pep Guardiola, has stirred up more talk about Jack Grealish’s place and future with the team by announcing that the winger is unable to play against Brighton this weekend, even though he has been called up to the England squad.
Grealish has not appeared for the Premier League champions since his substitution during the 2-1 victory over Wolves on October 20. This marks a five-match absence, during which City has lost their last three games against Tottenham, Bournemouth, and Sporting CP across different competitions.
Guardiola has been dealing with a larger injury crisis during this period. Despite this, interim England manager Lee Carsley included Grealish in his squad for upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Comments from Lee Carsley and Pep Guardiola Regarding Jack Grealish
“We are in regular communication with the medical team and hope Jack will be available,” Carsley said during his squad announcement on Thursday.
“He’s been training recently, so we will evaluate him and ensure he is prepared for play.”
“He is crucial for not only this camp but for future matches. His coaching qualities are excellent, and he brings a positive energy to the dressing room, both on and off the pitch.”
“It’s clear he enjoys representing England, so we wanted to keep him in the squad for as long as possible.”
However, the next day, Guardiola had a straightforward response regarding Grealish’s fitness for the match against Brighton. He simply stated, “That’s a question for the England manager,” and answered “no” when asked if Grealish would be playing at the Amex Stadium.
Jack Grealish’s Record at Manchester City
When Grealish joined City from Aston Villa for £100m in August 2021, he became the club’s record signing and the most expensive English player, a title now held by Declan Rice following his transfer to Arsenal.
After a period of adjustment in his first season, Grealish thrived during the latter part of City’s treble-winning campaign in 2022/23. Nevertheless, multiple fitness issues caused him to lose his status as one of Guardiola’s preferred players.
This 29-year-old saw limited playtime in the season’s final stretch, coinciding with City’s record fourth consecutive Premier League win. His decline led to Gareth Southgate’s surprising choice to drop Grealish from the Euro 2024 squad.
Ironically, this season has seen similar struggles as last. Whenever he has played, he has performed well, and his two goals in three appearances for England underscore Carsley’s wish to have him on the team.
He sustained an injury before the Community Shield encounter with Manchester United and is currently sidelined again.
Statistically, Grealish’s record of 14 goals and 20 assists in 135 matches might not stand out, particularly in a team known for its prolific scoring, but there is a strong argument that City’s performance benefits with Grealish in the lineup.
Out of his 59 Premier League starts, the team has only lost three times, the last being in February 2023. It’s hard to envision City clinching points against Arsenal and Wolves this season without Grealish’s late-game contributions.
His capability to pressure fatigued opponents, shift offensive strategies, and tighten defensive arrangements has been invaluable.
Is Jack Grealish Considering Leaving Manchester City?
The potential worst-case scenario, now seeming more realistic after a peculiar week, is that Grealish’s recent performance at Molineux might be his final act for City.
This, however, sounds a bit exaggerated for a player who is under a lucrative contract until 2026. This situation might simply stem from miscommunication between Carsley, Guardiola, and their medical teams.
Despite appearing grumpy at Friday’s press conference—typical for Guardiola amidst a struggling squad—it was noteworthy that he did not defend Grealish as he often has in the past. Just last spring, their relationship appeared stronger.
“Jack will be back. He’s faced challenges this season, but I believe he’ll return to his former self,” Guardiola remarked after City’s 2023/24 title victory.
“You can’t dispute the manager’s influence; he’s remarkable and genuinely cares,” Grealish said following a standout performance against Crystal Palace last April, which he could not maintain.
“This season has been tough for me following last year’s highs, but the manager has continuously supported me. I owe him for that and aim to repay him through my play and commitment to the team.”
Grealish attributed his struggles to adjusting after celebrating the treble—where he was prominently featured during celebrations—and a traumatic incident last December when his home was burglarized, which surely impacted him.
Recently he shared a heartfelt Instagram post highlighting that those with the brightest smiles may also be struggling and emphasized the importance of kindness.
Additionally, Grealish welcomed his first child in late September, adding to his personal circumstances amidst the ambiguity surrounding his latest injury, which has led to rampant speculation online.
Guardiola previously stated, “Jack sustained an injury during training, a day following Wolves, in one incident.” His choice not to clarify further when the England selection was made was quite conspicuous.
Guardiola is well aware of public discussions regarding himself and his players. He had a chance to clarify the situation about Grealish but chose not to.
Though Tottenham and Bayern Munich have shown fleeting interest, moving a player on Grealish’s salary will always be complex. He is among City’s top earners, alongside Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.
Yet, mentioning Bayern brings to mind another tense moment when Guardiola decisively transferred Joao Cancelo to them on loan after a falling out last January, leaving Kyle Walker as the only specialist full-back. City went on to win the treble, defeating Cancelo and Bayern in the Champions League quarterfinals.
The upcoming weeks will reveal whether Grealish, who elevated his performance after the Cancelo incident, is now facing a similar fate.
