Grealish excluded from Manchester City tour squad amid injury recovery and transfer speculation
Jack Grealish has not joined the Manchester City squad for their pre-season tour in Asia. The winger returned to pre-season training with the club last week, but has been working individually as he continues to recover from an injury sustained during his loan spell with Everton last season. This injury is cited as the reason for the 30-year-old’s absence from the travelling party, which is set to play against Inter Milan in Hong Kong, and the K-League All-Stars and Atletico Madrid in South Korea.
Grealish has not played since January, and his future at City has been the subject of speculation. Reports suggest he may leave the Etihad this summer as he enters the final year of his contract. Social media posts on Tuesday showed Grealish in Mallorca, where he has been since Monday.
Maresca’s Stance and Grealish’s Commitment
New manager Enzo Maresca commented on his relationship with Grealish during his first press conference last week. Maresca stated, “At the moment, he’s here. He’s a Man City player.” He added that he aims to coach players who belong to the club, and noted his good relationship with Grealish, describing him as having “a big heart” and being “a very good guy.” Maresca also mentioned they would “see what happens.”
Sources indicate that Maresca is determined to provide Grealish with a genuine chance to compete for his place within the squad. This decision is reportedly welcomed by the player. Despite ongoing speculation about his future, Grealish is understood to be firmly back in City’s first-team plans. His absence from the Asian tour is attributed solely to the final stages of his recovery from foot surgery, which he underwent after a season-ending injury in February. The club has chosen to keep him in Manchester to complete his rehabilitation before he is reintegrated into full first-team training, aiming to prevent any potential setbacks.
Maresca had expressed a desire to personally assess Grealish before any decisions were made regarding his future. Having worked with Grealish previously during his time as an assistant at the Etihad, Maresca has long admired the former Aston Villa captain. He reportedly informed sporting director Hugo Viana that he did not wish to simply move the winger on, and this stance has remained unchanged. Maresca has reportedly been impressed by Grealish’s attitude since his return to the club, particularly after learning that the England international undertook an extensive individual fitness programme throughout the summer to ensure he reported back in optimal condition.
Grealish has reportedly communicated his full commitment to earning his place back in City’s side, rather than seeking an immediate departure. This determination has reportedly reinforced Maresca’s belief that the forward can still play an important role this season. While City’s Asian tour is underway, Grealish’s absence should not be interpreted as a sign of an impending exit.
Potential Future Moves and Player Output
Should City’s position change, there is reported interest from other clubs. Everton, where Grealish spent last season on loan, remains keen to bring him back following a campaign under David Moyes. The Toffees have expressed their admiration for the player and are reportedly prepared to monitor his situation in the coming weeks. Financially, a return to Everton would likely require assistance from City, with a second loan spell considered the most realistic option. A permanent transfer could also be explored if Manchester City agreed to subsidise a portion of Grealish’s wages during the final year of his current contract.
Clubs in both the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer have also made enquiries about Grealish’s availability. However, those close to the player maintain that his focus remains firmly on the Premier League. At this stage, Grealish reportedly has no desire to leave English football and is determined to demonstrate his ability to perform at the highest level.
Grealish’s output since joining City and including his loan at Everton totals 179 club appearances across all competitions, with 19 goals and 29 assists. While scoring may not be his primary strength, his record of one assist approximately every five games has been noted. Despite playing fewer minutes than some of his City teammates, he has accumulated 22 yellow cards, with only Rodri and Bernardo Silva receiving more. He has created 275 chances during his time at the Etihad Stadium, highlighting his creative contributions to the squad. His pass completion rate stands at 88.02%, with a total of 4,823 passes made. During his loan at Everton, Grealish’s numbers improved before his season was cut short by injury, creating 42 chances, a figure only surpassed by James Garner’s 59. His shot accuracy of 56.25% was behind only Jake O’Brien and Iliman Ndiaye.
Grealish will turn 31 not long after the next season begins. His current situation suggests a need for him to either intensify his efforts at City to secure a regular place under Maresca or consider a move elsewhere to revitalise his career.
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Reuben Castle is the Sports News Writer at News GB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from print into digital sport news. He holds a degree in Journalism from Coventry University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Coventry, he follows the Open Championship and amateur boxing. “Accuracy first; the analysis can follow.”
