Jack Grealish will not join the Manchester City squad for their pre-season tour in Asia. The decision comes as the winger continues his recovery from an injury sustained during his loan spell with Everton last season. This issue has been cited as the reason for the 30-year-old’s absence from the travelling party, which is scheduled 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 a subject of ongoing speculation. He is entering the final year of his contract, leading to expectations that he might depart the Etihad this summer. Despite this, sources indicate that the decision to keep him in Manchester is specifically for the final stages of his recovery from foot surgery, which he underwent after a season-ending injury in February. The club aims to avoid any setbacks by allowing him to complete his rehabilitation before rejoining full first-team training.
Maresca’s Stance on Grealish
New City manager Enzo Maresca has expressed his appreciation for Grealish. During his initial press conference as City manager, Maresca stated, “At the moment, he’s here. He’s a Man City player.” He added that he aims to coach all players belonging to the club. Maresca noted his positive relationship with Grealish since his previous time at the club, highlighting Grealish’s character. He also mentioned that they would “see what happens” regarding the player’s future.
Maresca had previously worked with Grealish during his tenure as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants. This familiarity led Maresca to inform sporting director Hugo Viana that he wished to personally assess Grealish before any decisions were made about his future. This stance has reportedly remained unchanged. Maresca has been impressed by Grealish’s attitude since his return, particularly after learning of the extensive individual fitness programme the England international undertook during the summer to ensure he was in optimal condition.
Grealish has also reportedly communicated his commitment to fighting for his place within the City squad rather than seeking an immediate exit. This determination has reinforced Maresca’s belief that the forward can still play a significant role in the upcoming season. While the team is set to begin its Asian tour ahead of Saturday’s friendly against European champions Inter Milan, Grealish’s absence is not to be interpreted as a sign of an impending departure.
Potential Future Moves
Despite Grealish’s commitment to Manchester City, there is considerable interest from other clubs should his situation change. Everton, where Grealish spent last season on loan under David Moyes, remains keen to bring him back. The club has openly expressed its admiration for the attacker and is prepared to monitor his situation in the coming weeks. Financially, however, Everton would likely require assistance from City. A second loan move is considered the most realistic option, though a permanent transfer could 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 regarding Grealish’s availability. However, those close to the player maintain that his primary focus remains 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, including his loan spell at Everton, includes 179 club appearances across all competitions, with 19 goals and 29 assists. His pass completion rate stands at 88.02%. During his time at Everton, he created 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. He also accumulated three yellow cards in 22 games for the Toffees.
The player will turn 31 not long after the next season begins, highlighting a critical period for his career. He faces the choice of intensifying his efforts at City to secure a regular place under Maresca or exploring opportunities elsewhere to revitalise his career. Grealish posted images on social media on Tuesday, showing him in Mallorca, where he has been since Monday.
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
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Joel Kavanagh is a Sports News Writer at News-GB. He started on a Midlands sports desk. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from De Montfort University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Leicester, he plays amateur rugby and follows the fight calendar. “In sport news, the first ten minutes decide everything.”