The sun may be setting on Jack Grealish’s glittering, if inconsistent, chapter at Manchester City. Once hailed as the £100 million golden boy, the 29-year-old winger now finds himself on the periphery of Pep Guardiola’s plans — and potentially left out of Manchester City’s squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
It’s a startling fall from grace for a player who was once the heartbeat of Aston Villa and later a key piece in City’s treble-winning machinery. But in football, timing is everything and right now, the clock appears to be ticking down on Grealish’s time at the Etihad.
From Record Signing to Squad Outsider
When Jack Grealish signed for Manchester City in 2021, the footballing world stood still. A British record transfer at the time, the move signaled both City’s ambition and Grealish’s desire to step onto the biggest stage of European football. Stylish, daring, and always playing with a street footballer’s swagger, Grealish seemed destined to dazzle.
And for a while, he did. His contributions during the 2022-23 season helped City clinch a historic treble Premier League, FA Cup, and their long-coveted UEFA Champions League title. He was the fan favorite, the flamboyant maverick in a squad built on calculated brilliance.
But that narrative has begun to fade. Fast forward to 2025, and Grealish has become more of a luxury than a necessity. Injuries, form dips, and Guardiola’s ever-evolving tactical preferences have seen him relegated to the bench far too often. He started just seven league games in the entire 2024-25 campaign.
The Club World Cup Snub: A Sign of What’s Coming?
Now, with the Club World Cup expanding to 32 teams and taking place in the United States from June 14 to July 13, Grealish’s exclusion from the traveling squad feels more symbolic than strategic. Sources within the club suggest that City’s focus is already shifting toward new targets such as Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan, Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, and Wolves’ dynamic left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri.
If Grealish once stood at the center of City’s ambitions, he now finds himself on the edge of a rebuild he may not be part of.
Guardiola: “He Needs to Play – With Us or Somewhere Else”
Manager Pep Guardiola, never one to sugar-coat, acknowledged the situation with honesty last month.
“Of course, Jack has to play. He’s an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days,” said the Catalan coach. “It didn’t happen this season, and last season either. He needs to do it with us or another place.”
In Pep’s typically pragmatic tone lies a subtle but firm message: Grealish’s future may well lie away from Manchester.
What’s Next for Grealish? A Career at a Crossroads
At 29, Grealish is entering a crucial stage of his career. With Euro 2024 already missed and the 2026 World Cup looming on the horizon, his lack of game time has cost him a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad and possibly his international momentum altogether.
Sources close to the player say he is keeping an “open mind” about his next move. Interest is expected from top clubs across Europe, with sides in Serie A and La Liga monitoring the situation. The appeal of becoming a regular starter at a top club — perhaps in a less tactically rigid system than Guardiola’s may be too strong to ignore.
The sticking point, however, remains his reported £300,000-a-week wages. Not many clubs can afford that, especially for a player who, while supremely talented, comes with recent questions about consistency and fitness.
Whether a loan deal or a permanent transfer emerges, the sense is that Grealish needs a fresh canvas — somewhere he can recapture the freedom and flair that made him a Premier League darling.
From Hero to Headline: The Emotional Cost
For fans, this transition isn’t just about football. Grealish brought personality to a City team known for its precision. He brought banter, chaos, and a very human edge. Whether it was his post-title celebrations, cheeky interviews, or dazzling runs down the left flank, Jack was a story waiting to be written.
But modern football rarely waits for sentiment. It’s a game of form, numbers, and relentless momentum.
A Farewell on the Horizon?
Nothing has been officially confirmed yet, and Grealish will no doubt weigh his options with care. But being left out of a tournament as prestigious as the Club World Cup sends a loud signal. It doesn’t just say “not now” it might say “not anymore.”
Grealish may still be a Manchester City player. But emotionally, tactically, and logistically, the end of this chapter feels near.
For the man who once carried Aston Villa on his back and lit up the Etihad under the brightest lights, a new journey may soon begin.
And wherever he goes next one thing is certain: Jack Grealish won’t just play football. He’ll make it an event.
Written By Joe Brens
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