Jack Grealish is missing out on Manchester City's pre-season tour of Asia despite returning to individual training, casting massive shadows over his future at the Etihad Stadium. If you thought a simple return to the training ground meant a clean slate under new boss Enzo Maresca, think again.
The Reality Behind The Omission
Maresca has a 28-man squad heading out to face Inter Milan in Hong Kong, the K-League All-Stars, and Atletico Madrid in South Korea. Grealish's name isn't on that plane. Why? The official club line points squarely to ongoing rehabilitation from a foot injury that cut his loan spell at Everton short back in January.
He's back at the club, yes. He started working individually last week. But training alone at an empty base while your teammates fly halfway across the world tells a louder story than any PR statement.
Where It All Went Wrong For The Record Signing
Remember when City splashed one hundred million pounds on him from Aston Villa back in 2021? It felt monumental. He won trophies, played a huge part in the treble run, and became a household name. But football moves fast. Injuries piled up. Form dipped. Last season's loan stint at Everton was supposed to revive his career, but a foot issue sidelined him early in the year.
Now, he enters the final year of his contract. When you have twelve months left on a massive deal and your manager leaves you off the pre-season tour squad, the writing is usually on the wall.
What Maresca Actually Said
Enzo Maresca tried to play it cool during his opening press conference. He called Grealish a good guy with a big heart and insisted it's his duty to coach players who belong to the club. But managers talk in code. Saying "at the moment, he's here" is miles away from saying "he's part of my core plans for the upcoming season."
Compare that with players like Phil Foden or Gianluigi Donnarumma getting locked into the travelling party. The separation is stark. Grealish needs regular minutes, and City need to decide if they are cashing in or letting him run down his deal.
The Transfer Market Reality
Moving a player on massive wages with only a year left is never straightforward. Premier League suitors might love his profile, but financial structures complicate things. Whispers of a permanent exit or another temporary arrangement float around every summer window, yet the numbers have to make sense for everyone involved.
If you're tracking his next move, keep an eye on how quickly he transitions from individual running to full team sessions once the squad gets back to Manchester. Until then, expect the exit rumours to ramp up daily.
