Pep Guardiola admits Jack Grealish could leave Manchester City this summer | OneFootball

Jack Grealish could leave Manchester City at the end of his fourth season at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola has admitted.

Grealish has struggled for form and fitness since he played a starring role in Manchester City’s 2022/23 treble season, when he scored five times and assisted 11 goals in 50 appearances across all competitions.

The England international, who turns 30 in September, has played just 605 Premier League minutes so far this season and suffered another injury setback when he was forced off in the opening leg of City’s UEFA Champions League last-16 play-off tie against Real Madrid.

Since the turn of the year, Grealish has been available but has not been called off the bench by Pep Guardiola against each of Arsenal, Brentford, Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League, and in Champions League games against Club Brugge and Real Madrid.

There have been indications that City currently favour a summer exit for Grealish, who hasn’t kicked on from his encouraging form throughout the treble season and is arguably yet to justify the financial investment made to secure his arrival from Aston Villa in 2021.

Ahead of Saturday’s visit to Nottingham Forest, Pep Guardiola was asked if he would understand Jack Grealish’s intention to move on at the end of the season having played very little this season, especially ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“(Thomas) Tuchel will name the (England) squad soon. I understand all the frustrations of all my players. It’s so good. I have a dream to play the World Cup and the European Cup with his national team, with his country. I would be concerned if it would be otherwise,” Guardiola said.

“I’m not bothered by that. What happens at the end of the season, not just in terms of Jack (Grealish). For everyone. It will be treated at the end of the season. Now we’re playing for many important things, for the club, for the future and for them. So there’s no doubt about that.”

Despite having backed Jack Grealish through thick and thin in the media, Pep Guardiola is unsure if Grealish will go on to prove himself and make the cut when Manchester City overhaul their first-team squad in the summer after an underwhelming season.

Guardiola added on Friday afternoon, “Of course I want the best, not just Jack, for everyone. Jack played really good the last game, hopefully he can have the consistency.

“He’s a player for Manchester City, so there’s no doubt about that. So what happens, I don’t know what’s going to happen.”