Guardiola Criticizes Grealish's England Call-Up

09 NOV

Guardiola Questions Grealish's Readiness

England interim coach Carsley defended the call-up, stating that Grealish had resumed training "for a couple of days" and would be evaluated upon reporting for international duty. However, Guardiola strongly disputed this, emphasizing that Grealish was far from match-fit.

“In the last 17 days, he hasn’t trained once. Today was his first session, and it lasted 20 minutes,” said Guardiola. “Yes, he spent some time in the gym over the past two days, but that’s the reality. The decision is for England’s manager to explain, not me.”

Guardiola also clarified that he had not communicated with Carsley or the Football Association about Grealish’s condition. While the player expressed his willingness to report for international duty, Guardiola hinted that this might not be in the best interest of his recovery.

Injury Troubles Continue for Grealish and City

Grealish, 29, has struggled to find form this season, managing just two assists without scoring. After an early return to training over the summer, he aimed to impress following his omission from Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad. However, a series of injuries has disrupted his rhythm.

Guardiola’s concerns about Grealish’s call-up are compounded by City’s broader injury crisis. Key players like Kyle Walker, John Stones, Nathan Ake, and Jeremy Doku have all faced injury setbacks. Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is only now returning to fitness, while Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Guardiola Faces Unprecedented Pressure

City’s upcoming Premier League clash with Brighton carries significant weight as Guardiola looks to avoid four consecutive defeats for the first time in his managerial career. City recently suffered away losses to Tottenham, Bournemouth, and Sporting Lisbon, highlighting the challenges posed by their depleted squad.

Amid the tough run of fixtures, Guardiola confirmed he would not travel to Abu Dhabi during the international break, opting to focus on addressing City’s form and injury issues.

Uncertainty Surrounds Guardiola's Future

Adding to the uncertainty, Guardiola’s future at City remains unresolved. His current contract expires at the end of the season, and while his previous extensions were finalized during November international breaks, he confirmed this would not happen this year.

“I’ve said many times, we won’t talk about it now. When it happens, it happens,” Guardiola remarked. “We’re in regular contact, and the decision will always prioritize what’s best for the club.”

England’s Challenge

Carsley’s decision to include Grealish reflects a broader debate about the balance between club and country commitments. With Grealish eager to represent England despite his fitness issues, the situation underscores the complexities of player management during critical periods of recovery.

As City face a pivotal stretch in their season, Guardiola’s frustration highlights the challenges of maintaining squad depth and performance amidst persistent injuries and international duties.