Grealish Faces City Exit as Guardiola Omits Star From Club World Cup Squad

Manchester City Manager Signals Potential Summer Transfer for England Winger

Jack Grealish’s future at Manchester City is increasingly uncertain as the club prepares for a busy summer transfer window, with manager Pep Guardiola leaving him out of the squad for this month’s Club World Cup.

Squad Omission Fuels Transfer Speculation

City begins its Club World Cup journey next Wednesday against Wydad Casablanca, followed by matches against Al-Ain and Juventus in Group G. Despite being among the favorites, the tournament comes at a difficult time for City, who finished third in the Premier League and lost the FA Cup final in the 2024/25 season.

The decision to exclude Grealish follows a campaign hampered by injuries and inconsistent form, leading to a limited role within the team. This latest development strongly suggests a potential departure during the upcoming transfer period.

Everton Emerges as Frontrunner for Grealish

Several clubs have expressed interest in acquiring the experienced winger, but Everton appears to be the leading contender. The Toffees are reportedly planning an ambitious move for Grealish ahead of their relocation to a new stadium.

“Jack Grealish favours a move to Everton over Newcastle United and the foreign clubs chasing him, sources have told Football Insider. The glamour of the club’s new stadium and the possibility of a regular starting role is attractive to the former Aston Villa star, who does not just want to be a squad player at a Champions League club.”

—Football Insider

According to a recent report, Grealish has communicated his enthusiasm for joining Everton to his friends, citing the allure of a prominent role and the excitement surrounding the club’s new stadium. In the 2023-24 Premier League season, Everton averaged 38,498 attendees per match, demonstrating strong fan support despite recent challenges. Statista

Wright-Phillips Highlights Need for Confidence

Former Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips believes Grealish needs a change of scenery to rediscover his form. He suggests a move to a team where he won’t face overly defensive opposition, allowing him more space and opportunities to utilize his dribbling skills.

“For me, it’s just a bit of confidence needed, and maybe you might say a bit of freedom, but then if he goes to Villa, does he get that freedom? Because people set a low block against Villa as well. …You can kind of feel like right now, just so he gets that enjoyment back in football, he needs to be at a team who no-one’s scared of.”

—Shaun Wright-Phillips

Wright-Phillips emphasized that Grealish is unfairly criticized for not consistently attempting to take on multiple defenders, a tactic not commonly employed even by the world’s best players.

As Guardiola’s squad prepares for the Club World Cup, the future of Jack Grealish remains a key talking point, with a summer move to Everton looking increasingly likely.