Manchester City has announced its 28-man squad for the upcoming tour of Asia, which will feature three matches as part of their preparations for the 2026/27 season. Several prominent players are not included, having been granted a post-World Cup break.
Among those not travelling are Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips. Grealish was considered for inclusion but is currently dealing with an injury issue. He recently shared updates on social media from Mallorca regarding his rehabilitation.
Phillips, on the other hand, is not part of the travelling party as he is reportedly close to finalising a move to Sheffield United. He spent the latter half of last season on loan with the club.
Squad Composition and Player Status
The tour squad includes several key players who did not participate in the World Cup, allowing them to return for pre-season training earlier. These include Gianluigi Donnarumma and Phil Foden, both of whom are flying out to Asia with the team.
The tour also provides an opportunity for several young talents to impress. Players such as Jeremy Monga, Kaden Braithwaite, Floyd Samba, Jaden Heskey, and Ryan McAidoo have been named in the squad, offering them a chance to showcase their abilities.
Manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with Grealish as Pep Guardiola‘s assistant, has kept the door open for the winger’s future at the club. Maresca acknowledged the challenge of evaluating Grealish’s situation without daily interaction, stating, “When you don’t work day by day with the players, it’s difficult to judge. I don’t know what he has done. It’s complicated.”
Despite Everton declining a reported option to buy Grealish permanently, Maresca highlighted his good relationship with the player. He added, “In any club I join, it’s my duty to coach the players at the club and Jack is here at the moment. I have a good relationship with him and since I left we’ve been keeping in touch. He has a big heart and is a very good guy but we’ll see what happens.”
Grealish’s Recovery and Future
Grealish’s immediate focus is on recovering from a persistent foot issue that affected his time at Everton. He had featured in 20 Premier League matches for City in the 2024-25 campaign before his loan move, accumulating 715 minutes, scoring one goal, and providing one assist. During his loan spell, he scored two goals and registered six assists across 1,632 minutes before sustaining the injury.
His rehabilitation process is ongoing, and he recently posted a positive update on social media, expressing his anticipation of rejoining his teammates. Grealish is expected to continue his individual fitness programme at the City Football Academy this week. Once medically cleared, he will aim to impress Maresca during training sessions.
Throughout his City career, Grealish has made 157 appearances and scored 17 goals. He has been part of teams that secured three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one Club World Cup, and one Champions League crown. His return to full fitness is crucial as he seeks to secure a place in a team aiming to reclaim domestic success.
The Manchester City correspondent for a local news outlet is covering the tour in Asia, providing daily updates on the team’s activities.
The club’s pre-season tour of Asia is set to feature three matches.
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
As News-GB.org's Sports Reporter, Eleanor Vance reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name on long-form athlete profiles. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Bath and completed an NCTJ diploma. Eleanor lives in Bath, where she swims competitively and follows British athletics. “A profile is only as good as the questions behind it.”