Jack Grealish has been excluded from the Manchester City squad travelling for their pre-season tour in Asia. The winger had rejoined pre-season training with the club last week but was observed working individually. This individual training regimen is part of his ongoing recovery from an injury sustained during his loan period with Everton last season.
The injury is cited as the reason for the 30-year-old’s absence from the touring party. Manchester City is scheduled to play against Inter Milan in Hong Kong, and both the K-League All-Stars and Atletico Madrid in South Korea. Grealish has not participated in a match since January.
Injury Recovery and Manager’s Stance
Sources indicate that the decision to keep Grealish in Manchester is primarily due to the final stages of his recovery from foot surgery, which he underwent after a season-ending injury in February. The club has opted to keep him in Manchester to complete his rehabilitation, aiming to reintegrate him into full first-team training without risking any setbacks.
New 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 further explained his approach to players already at a club, noting his duty to coach them. Maresca highlighted his positive relationship with Grealish, mentioning they have kept in touch since his previous departure from the club, attributing this to Grealish’s “big heart” and character.
Maresca had previously indicated a desire to personally assess Grealish before any decisions were made regarding his future. Having worked with Grealish during his earlier tenure at the Etihad as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants, Maresca is said to be an admirer of 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 position remains unchanged.
Maresca has reportedly been impressed by Grealish’s attitude since his return to the club. This includes learning that the England international undertook an extensive individual fitness programme throughout the summer to ensure he reported back in optimal condition.
Future at Manchester City and Transfer Interest
Despite ongoing speculation surrounding his future, Grealish is understood to be committed to remaining at Manchester City. Sources suggest he has made it clear he intends to fight for his place in the team rather than seeking an immediate exit. This determination has reportedly reinforced Maresca’s belief that Grealish can still play a significant role this season.
However, Grealish’s future at City remains uncertain, with expectations that he might leave the Etihad this summer as he enters the final year of his contract. His absence from the Asian tour should not be interpreted as a definitive sign of his impending departure, but interest in the player persists should City’s stance change.
Everton, where Grealish spent last season on loan, reportedly remains keen to bring him back. His previous campaign under David Moyes was described as impressive. Everton has consistently shown admiration for the attacker and is prepared to monitor his situation in the coming weeks. Financially, a return to Everton would likely require assistance from Manchester City, with a second loan spell being 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 salary package.
Clubs in both the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer have also made enquiries regarding Grealish’s availability. Despite this interest, those close to the player maintain that his focus is 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 posted images on social media on Tuesday, showing him in Mallorca, where he has been since Monday.
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Dominic Hayes is the Sports News Writer at NewsGB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with five years of reporting experience. He started on a north-east sports desk. He holds a degree in Journalism from Teesside University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Middlesbrough, he follows pro golf and amateur boxing. “Fast and accurate is the only standard worth keeping.”
