Pep Guardiola has candidly suggested that Jack Grealish should seek pastures new to secure regular playing time. The Manchester City manager omitted Grealish from the squad heading to the Club World Cup, following a season where the midfielder only managed to start seven Premier League matches.
As Grealish approaches the halfway mark of his lucrative £300,000-a-week contract, clubs such as Napoli have expressed interest in his services. Manchester City are reportedly open to loan offers if a permanent move cannot be orchestrated for the player, whose arrival from Aston Villa in 2021 commanded a British record transfer fee of £100 million.
Guardiola explained, “Jack is an exceptional talent, but the decision for him not to play last season was down to my choices. He needs to be on the pitch to rediscover the form that made him integral during our Treble-winning campaign and his time at Aston Villa.”
Grealish, currently enjoying a holiday in Greece, is reportedly eager to secure a spot in England’s World Cup squad. His international future under England manager Thomas Tuchel, who has already omitted him from two squads, hinges on his ability to clock up regular minutes on the pitch.
With new additions Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait Nouri, and Marcus Bettinelli included in City’s World Cup squad, Grealish’s absence comes amid discussions to facilitate his transfer this summer. While interest is high both in the Premier League, with clubs like Everton keen, and across Europe, many potential suitors face financial constraints that could make a loan move more feasible than a full transfer.
The midfielder, capped 39 times for England, was particularly pained by his exclusion from Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad, describing it as one of the toughest moments of his career.
With a potential move on the horizon, Jack Grealish stands at a career crossroads, looking to reignite the spark and enthusiasm that once made him one of England’s most celebrated talents.
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