Jack Grealish has been unavailable for selection in Manchester City’s last four games in all competitions through injury.
Pep Guardiola gave a fitness update about Grealish by revealing that he will return from injury after the international break.
The Manchester City winger’s fitness has been one of his biggest pitfalls since joining the club in 2021.
Grealish would understandably be frustrated by this being the case as well.
In July, Grealish hinted he aimed to prove Gareth Southgate wrong by returning to his brilliant best after being excluded from England’s squad for Euro 2024.
It was reported in the summer that Harry Kane had a chat with Southgate after he axed Grealish as the Three Lions players were stunned by the decision.
Man City fans feel something is fishy as Jack Grealish has been selected by England
Lee Carsley has selected Grealish in his latest England squad for their Nations League fixtures against Greece and Ireland.
The 29-year-old’s inclusion in the squad is a surprise as Pep Guardiola’s recent confirmation was that he would recover from injury after the international break.
Due to this being the case, Manchester City supporters online are convinced there is something off behind the scenes between the club and Grealish.
Another fan wrote: “Dread it, run from it, [Joao] Cancelo V2 arrives all the same”, referencing how the Portuguese full-back was loaned out by Manchester City to Bayern Munich in January after seeming problems behind the scenes.
A City fan stated his theory: “Well, he obviously isn’t injured. Hence, the call-up when [John] Stones hasn’t been because of injury.”
Another Manchester City supporter added: “Something is going on with him [Grealish] for sure. I’ve been saying it for weeks. Pep [Guardiola] loves him and has said as much in the past. But even when he came back from injury, he was on the bench for ages before Pep used hi, and even longer before he started a game.”
Why Pep Guardiola hid Grealish’s fitness status once last season
In May, it was revealed that Pep Guardiola and Grealish had a chat before Manchester City’s FA Cup final loss against Manchester United. Guardiola prompted the Englishman to return to his best in the 2024/2025 season, who agreed to do the same as the previous campaign was one that the player himself felt was hampered by injuries and a off-the-field issues.
One of them was that a break-in occurred at Grealish’s house where his partner was also present which had a psychological impact on him.
But the report also revealed that there were times last season when the former Aston Villa captain was going out with his mates.
Guardiola is believed to have expressed his worries to the three-time Premier League winner on various instances.
The Manchester City players were given a three-day rest after their 5-1 thrashing of Wolves.
However, in training ahead of City’s 4-0 win against Fulham, Grealish’s work rate in training did not meet the required standards for Pep Guardiola — an issue that had taken place during the season on other occassions.
As a result, the two-time treble-winning manager deemed Grealish ill despite him being fit in the press conference and excluded him from his matchday squad.
Only time will tell whether City supporters’ theory is deemed correct and if there is any rife between the player and the club but it is certainly a surprise that the decorated attacker has headed to the England squad.
