Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has shed light on the reason behind Jack Grealish’s absence from the team, stating that it was a matter of selection. According to Guardiola, Grealish is an exceptional player who needs to play regularly, ideally every three days, but this hasn’t been possible in the past two seasons. The manager emphasised that Grealish “has to play” and that this requirement remains regardless of whether he stays with Manchester City or moves to another club.
Grealish, an attacking midfielder, has been with Manchester City since leaving Aston Villa. Known for his creative style of play, he has been a key player in the team. Guardiola’s comments come amid concerns over the size of the Manchester City squad, with the manager having previously expressed his desire for a smaller, more streamlined team, as reported on May 21.
Guardiola’s remarks on Grealish’s absence were made in the context of a broader discussion about squad size, with the manager having threatened to quit Manchester City over the issue, as reported on May 20. However, he later denied any immediate plans to leave the club, as stated on May 2.