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Pep Guardiola hints at Man City exit for star forward who “has to play”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has hinted that Jack Grealish could leave the club this summer, revealing that the player and club have held “honest” discussions regarding the player’s future. The England forward has played a very limited role in the City setup over the past two seasons and has been omitted from the squad for the Club World Cup this summer.
Guardiola has now suggested that the ideal solution for Grealish is to find a new club where the player can have “butterflies in his stomach” again and rediscover his love of football. ESPN has reported that Grealish has been allowed to speak to other clubs about a move away from the club this summer.
“He had a conversation between him and the club and they decided it was best [to stay behind],” said Guardiola.
“Jack is an exceptional player. The only reason why he didn’t play last season is of course my decisions. We decide that he has to play. The club was honest, he was honest.”
“We decide the best is to stay [behind] and have a place that he can feel like he can come back to be the player like he was in the year of the treble or all his career in Aston Villa.”
“The fact is in the last two seasons he didn’t play much minutes. He has to come back to play and have the butterflies in his stomach that he can play every three days, every three days and show again the quality he has.”
Guardiola hints at Grealish exit
The Spanish manager did not rule out a return to the city squad for Grealish, but reiterated that the intention for the player’s omission this summer was to find a new club. When asked if Grealish is certain to leave the club, Guardiola said: “I don’t know. Now we decide don’t come here and what happens I don’t know in the end. If we don’t find, he’s a player for Man City and he will be back.”
The England international has two years left on his contract, a pivotal point when deciding a player’s future. While no formal offers for Grealish have so far been received by City, the player has been linked with moves to Newcastle, Tottenham, Saudi Pro League clubs, as well as a return to former club Aston Villa.
City’s transfer dealings this summer would suggest a difficult path to return for Grealish, with Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders joining the club and the Club World Cup squad. Both players could play similar positions to Grealish with Cherki in particular tipped to occupy a forward role.
City have also signed Wolves left back Rayan Aït-Nouri and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.
