Jack Grealish has not joined the Manchester City squad for their pre-season tour in Asia. The winger returned to pre-season training last week, working individually as he recovers from an injury sustained during his loan spell with Everton last season. This injury has been cited as the reason for his absence from the touring party.
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 played since January, and there has been ongoing speculation regarding his future at the club, with some reports suggesting he might leave the Etihad this summer as he enters the final year of his contract.
Maresca’s Stance and Grealish’s Commitment
New manager Enzo Maresca recently spoke about Grealish during his first press conference. Maresca stated, “At the moment, he’s here. He’s a Man City player.” He added that he aims to coach players who belong to the club and mentioned having a good relationship with Grealish since his previous time at City, noting Grealish’s “big heart” and positive character.
Sources indicate that Grealish is firmly back in City’s first-team plans, despite the transfer speculation. His absence from the Asia tour is understood to be solely due to the final stages of his recovery from foot surgery, which he underwent after a season-ending injury in February. Manchester City has opted to keep him in Manchester to complete his rehabilitation before he rejoins full first-team training.
Maresca reportedly wanted to assess Grealish personally before making any decisions about his future. The Italian manager has admired the former Aston Villa player since working with him during his previous spell at the Etihad. Maresca quickly informed sporting director Hugo Viana that he did not wish to simply move the winger on, and this stance has not changed.
Maresca has reportedly been impressed by Grealish’s attitude since his return, particularly after learning that the England international undertook an extensive individual fitness programme over the summer to ensure he was in optimal condition. Grealish has also reportedly expressed his commitment to fighting for his place in the City side rather than seeking an immediate exit. This determination has strengthened Maresca’s belief that Grealish can still play an important role this season.
Transfer Interest and Future Prospects
Despite Grealish’s commitment to Manchester City, there is still interest from other clubs should City’s position change. Everton, where Grealish spent last season on loan, reportedly remains keen to bring him back. Sources suggest that a second loan spell is the most realistic option for Everton, though a permanent transfer could be explored if Manchester City agreed to subsidise a portion of his wages for the final year of his current contract.
Clubs in both the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer have also reportedly made enquiries about Grealish’s availability. However, those close to the player maintain that his focus remains on the Premier League. At this stage, Grealish reportedly has no desire to leave English football and is determined to prove his ability 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
Sam Whitlock is a Sports News Writer at News-GB.org. He moved from local newspapers into digital sport. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Gloucestershire and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Gloucester, he plays amateur rugby and follows the fight game. “Clarity beats cleverness in breaking sport news.”