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Jack Grealish’s future at Manchester City is uncertain after being left out of Pep Guardiola’s Club World Cup squad.
Manchester City’s Jack Grealish (AP)
Jack Grealish’s future at Manchester City was cast into further doubt on Wednesday after the England international was omitted from Pep Guardiola’s Club World Cup squad.
Despite City naming only 27 players out of a possible 35 for the tournament commencing in the United States on 14 June, Grealish, along with former captain Kyle Walker, was left out.
All four of the club’s recent signings – Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Tijani Reijnders, and Marcus Bettinelli – are included in the squad.
Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is also selected, having returned from a long-term knee injury shortly before the end of the Premier League season.
Grealish, who remains City’s record signing following a £100 million move from Aston Villa in 2021, has seen his playing time decrease over the past two seasons.
He made only seven Premier League starts in the 2024/25 campaign and was notably left unused on the bench as City lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final last month.
The 29-year-old still has two years remaining on his City contract, and his reported £300,000-a-week wages present a significant obstacle to any potential transfer.
Guardiola cautioned last month that departures might be necessary if the squad size is not reduced before the new season begins.
Grealish is among several players expected to depart, along with Walker.
The 35-year-old spent the latter half of last season on loan at AC Milan, but the Italian club has not exercised their option to buy him.
City will begin their Club World Cup campaign against Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia next Wednesday, followed by group matches against Al Ain of Abu Dhabi and Juventus.
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket, having cov…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket, having cov… Read More
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