Manchester City set to leave Jack Grealish out of FIFA Club World Cup travelling squad

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are expected to leave Jack Grealish out of their plans for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, according to new reports.

The England star, who has endured a difficult last two seasons at the Etihad Stadium, appears to be coming towards the end of an illustrious stay at Manchester City, winning almost every single trophy available to him since arriving in 2021.

Grealish joined Pep Guardiola’s squad with a significant weight of expectation on his shoulders after City sanctioned a club-record £100 million investment on the Aston Villa star to bring him into their plans.

With four Premier League titles to his name and a UEFA Champions League winners’ medal that formed part of a continental Treble in the 2022/23 season, many will view Grealish’s time at the club as largely a success, particular given his role in the latter.

But having been left out of Manchester City’s final day squad at Fulham with qualification for European football hanging in the balance, significant doubts were raised over whether the future at the Etihad featured Grealish.

“It’s nothing personal with Jack,” Pep Guardiola told a press conference from Craven Cottage. “I’m the person who fought for him to come here and the person who fought for him to stay here this season.”

The Manchester City manager continued, “I’m the one who said I want Jack Grealish. What happens in the future is a job for Txiki (Begiristain), Hugo (Viana) and the agents.”

And now, a significant development ahead of Manchester City’s trip to the United States later this month has emerged directly concerning Jack Grealish and his hopes of playing a role in a new-look, rebranded, and revamped competition.

According to the exclusive information of The Telegraph’s Matt Law, Grealish is not expected to be part of Pep Guardiola and Manchester City’s travelling squad for this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.

It is explained that all sides involved recognise that taking the former Aston Villa captain to the United States for a tournament that could last as long as a month would not be in his or City’s best interests while the Englishman tries to sort out his future.

Grealish is expected to attract transfer interest from clubs in the Premier League and overseas, with the 29-year-old desperate to emerge in Thomas Tuchel’s England plans for the 2026 World Cup and Manchester City themselves keen to help.

City officials are reportedly open to allowing Grealish to find a new club and should he move, the player is expected to do so with the blessing, respect and best wishes of the Etihad Stadium.

This is a developing story. More to follow.