“I have to get rid” – Pep Guardiola issues spiky response to Jack Grealish questions after Manchester City absence | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola became increasingly frustrated by a stream of questions concerning Jack Grealish on Sunday afternoon at Fulham.

The England international became the latest big name to be left out of a Manchester City matchday squad as Pep Guardiola was left with a major headache with his squad at full compliment following stars recovering from injury.

The FA Cup Final against Crystal Palace saw the likes of Rico Lewis and James McAtee uninvolved despite their heroics throughout the competition and route to the Wembley showpiece, while last week’s clash with Bournemouth saw Savinho left out.

Despite bright showings earlier on in his Manchester City, Abdukodir Khusanov has also been missing and uninvolved for several weeks with the defensive ranks strengthened by the returning Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji.

And the visit to Fulham saw Jack Grealish become the latest player to be left out, although this time his lack of involvement was followed by a stream of reporting raising question marks over his future at the Etihad Stadium.

Speaking to reporters after the 0-2 win at Craven Cottage that ensured Manchester City a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, manager Pep Guardiola was quizzed intently on the reasoning behind Grealish’s absence from his squad.

“It was the selection. The last two months, month, month-and-a-half it was five or six players at home every time, and now this time I decided for these guys. No more than that. I don’t have anything [to add],” Guardiola explained.

“Of course, Jack has to play – that’s the truth. Jack is an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days, three days, and it didn’t happen this season, last season neither. And he needs to do it, with us or another place.”

Quizzed on whether consistent playing time is possible for Grealish, Guardiola doubled-down on his previous statement as he continued, “With us or another place, yeah. But that is a question of Jack, his agent, and the club.

“If he stays it will be fine and we will fight like we fought since he arrived on day one to make the contribution. But not today is for something else that for example, in the FA Cup Final, I rotate and Rico [Lewis] was not there, Macca [James McAtee] was not there, and [Abdukodir] Khusanov, and Vitor [Reis], and [Claudio] Echeverri was here.

“So it’s the same. I try to move the players [around who are absent on matchday], and today it was Jack – no more than that explanation.”

However, the City manager became increasingly agitated when he was quizzed for a third consecutive time on Jack Grealish, initially rejecting the question put to him before stressing his support and belief in the England international despite uncertainty over the future.

“No, don’t ask me about Jack, please… Who said I’m not happy with him? I said in my words I’m not happy with him?! And yeah he didn’t play the last games neither, he was on the bench, and Rico [Lewis] – for me one of the favourite players I have – was not selected neither.

“[James] McAtee played against Aston Villa and was exceptional, and against in another game we played against Wolves was exceptional, and today was not selected too! Why don’t you ask me about McAtee, for example? It’s not about personal, I don’t have any problems with the players,” Guardiola said.

“Ah, if you say I am selecting and we are in trouble, or not in trouble, or not selected and we are in trouble – it’s not about that! I have 24 players, I had to get rid of six players in the last game, today five because [Mateo] Kovacic was sent off in the last game. Otherwise I have SIX players at home!

“And I think Jack, like now I’m thinking [Abdukodir] Khusanov, I’m thinking Vitor [Reis], I’m thinking McAtee, I’m thinking all the players that have not been [at Fulham]. But it’s not anything personal, ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING!”

The 54-year-old added on his support for the former Aston Villa captain, “I’m the person who fought [for him] to come here and I fought [for him] to stay here this season and the previous season – the ONE. The ONE who said, ‘I want Jack with me!’ Yes or yes.

“So now he didn’t come because he didn’t come, not for anything else. What happens in the future? Listen, it’s a job for Hugo [Viana], for Txiki [Begiristain], and for the agents. Not for me.”

With Jack Grealish having been left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad, the next opportunity for the Englishman to be competitively involved could come at the FIFA Club World Cup with Manchester City in June and July.

Although, it remains to be seen whether any party involved could seek a resolution to doubts over his future by finalising an exit from the Etihad Stadium, whether that be on a season-long loan or a permanent departure.