Manchester City’s Jack Grealish Faces Uncertain Future Amid Reduced Playing Time
The future of Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish is shrouded in uncertainty as the 29-year-old England international continues to fall down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium. According to Shay Given, a former Manchester City goalkeeper, "the writing is on the wall" for Grealish, who may have to leave the club this summer.
Grealish was a British record signing when he joined Manchester City from Aston Villa for £100m in 2021. During his time at the club, he has won three Premier League titles, the Champions League, and the FA Cup. However, this season has seen a significant reduction in his playing time, with only 16 starts in all competitions and a total of 1,520 minutes on the pitch – less than half the amount he played in the 2022-23 season.
The situation has led to speculation about Grealish’s future at Manchester City, with Given suggesting that the player may benefit from a move before next season. "I have a soft spot for Jack Grealish and the way he is being treated is not on," Given told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, as reported by the BBC. "He’s not helped himself at times but he is a generational talent that you want to build your team around."
Grealish’s reduced playing time has been particularly noticeable in recent matches, including the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace, where he was an unused substitute. Given expressed his disappointment at Grealish’s situation, stating, "That’s back-to-back FA Cup finals where you need a goal and you don’t use him. At the weekend City brought on Claudio Echeverri who made his debut instead. Jack is an international, a multiple winner, it was criminal he didn’t get on the pitch."
The BBC understands that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will discuss Grealish’s future with the club’s hierarchy, including outgoing director of football Txiki Begiristain and his successor Hugo Viana. However, Guardiola remains tight-lipped about the situation, stating, "We didn’t talk – I didn’t talk with him. People don’t believe me, but these things belong to the agents and the club and Txiki, and in this case Hugo as well. Both will decide."
Grealish’s potential departure from Manchester City could spark interest from clubs across Europe, although his reported £300,000-per-week wages may prove a deterrent. Given believes that Grealish should explore his options, stating, "For his career, he has to see what is out there. He is an amazing talent with plenty of years left in him."
The uncertainty surrounding Grealish’s future is a significant development for Manchester City, who face a challenging summer ahead. The club’s failure to win a major trophy this season, combined with their potential failure to qualify for the Champions League, has raised questions about their squad dynamics and transfer strategy.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Jack Grealish’s future at Manchester City is far from certain. The BBC will continue to provide updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.
In related news, Manchester City’s defeat in the FA Cup final means that they will finish the season without a major trophy for the first time since Pep Guardiola’s first season in charge in 2016-17. The club will need to regroup and reassess their strategy ahead of the new season, which could see significant changes to their squad.
The BBC has been informed that Grealish’s situation will be a key talking point in the coming weeks, with the club’s hierarchy expected to discuss his future in detail. As the story continues to develop, the BBC will provide in-depth analysis and updates on the situation.
This article is based on reporting by the BBC. The original article can be found here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cr7z8k393p8o.
