Guardiola silence adds fuel to Man City midfielder exit rumours | OneFootball

What Next for Grealish? Man City Star Faces Uncertain Future

Grealish’s diminishing role casts doubt over Man City future

Once the most expensive footballer in British history, Jack Grealish now finds himself on the periphery at Manchester City. The swagger and sparkle that made him a talismanic figure at Aston Villa and an intriguing weapon for Pep Guardiola appears to have dimmed in a season where minutes have become as rare as misplaced passes in Guardiola’s side.

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Signed in 2021 for £100 million, the 29-year-old has seen his influence wane significantly in this campaign. Just 1,520 minutes across all competitions is a stark contrast to his role during City’s treble-winning season in 2022-23. From a central figure to a seldom-used substitute, the fall has been sharp.

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Last weekend’s FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace felt like a defining moment. Not only was Grealish benched, he wasn’t even called upon during a match that cried out for invention and flair. Nor did he feature during the Wembley defeat to Manchester United. The omission spoke volumes.

A generational talent left unused

Former City goalkeeper Shay Given, who played alongside Grealish at Villa, spoke with emotion on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club.

Given’s frustration is echoed by those who believe in Grealish’s artistry. When Kevin De Bruyne departs this summer, a space will open in midfield. But after the past few months, it is far from clear if Grealish is even in Guardiola’s long-term thinking.

This is not just a tactical snub. It hints at a deeper disconnect. Grealish, renowned for his free-spirited dribbling and fearless ball-carrying, has been reduced to what Given calls “a mannequin on the wing” — told to keep shape rather than influence games. It is football with the brakes on.

Transfer talk and financial hurdles

City’s stance is officially diplomatic, though tellingly vague. Guardiola admitted he has not discussed Grealish’s future directly, instead pointing to ongoing conversations between the club’s hierarchy and the player’s representatives.

City’s outgoing director of football Txiki Begiristain and his successor Hugo Viana are now tasked with navigating what comes next. Grealish’s £300,000-per-week wages are a significant hurdle for any potential suitor, but there will be interest. Clubs across Europe value the sort of creative edge he brings, particularly when he is granted the freedom to roam centrally rather than be shackled to the touchline.

City’s identity shift and squad evolution

City’s failure to claim silverware this season marks their first major trophy drought since 2016-17 — Guardiola’s debut campaign. With their Premier League finish outside the top four now a real possibility, this feels like a moment of transition. A squad that has scaled every peak may be slowly disbanding.

Grealish’s journey with City, though decorated with medals, has always felt slightly unfulfilled. Used more often as a system player than a game-changer, he has rarely replicated the form that once made him unplayable in claret and blue.

Still, some players are born to be more than squad members. For Grealish, the question is whether he wants to fight for his place, or if the summer becomes a sliding doors moment in a career that still holds so much promise.