Goodbye Jack Grealish?! Pep Guardiola axes Man City star from squad for crucial Fulham clash as transfer talk continues to swirl

Jack Grealish’s future at Manchester City has been thrust into further uncertainty after manager Pep Guardiola excluded the 29-year-old winger from the squad for the crucial Premier League clash against Fulham on May 25, 2025, fueling intense transfer speculation. The decision, reported by The Telegraph and Goal.com on May 24, 2025, marks a significant moment for the £100 million star, who has struggled for minutes in 2025 and faces pivotal talks about his future this summer. This development, set against the backdrop of other high-profile tennis withdrawals like Nick Kyrgios’ from the 2025 French Open, underscores the challenges athletes face in maintaining peak performance and relevance. Below is an analysis of Grealish’s omission, its implications, and the broader context of his Manchester City tenure.

Context of Grealish’s Omission

Grealish, who joined Manchester City from Aston Villa in 2021 for a record-breaking £100 million, was left out of the traveling squad for the Fulham match at Craven Cottage, a game critical for securing Champions League qualification (The Telegraph, May 24, 2025). The Daily Mail noted that Grealish’s season effectively ended prematurely, as he was also an unused substitute in City’s FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace (Daily Mail, May 24, 2025). With only 143 minutes across six Premier League appearances in 2025 and one league start all season, his diminished role under Guardiola is stark (Daily Mail; Sports Mole, May 24, 2025).

Guardiola confirmed that Grealish’s future will be decided in summer talks involving sporting director Txiki Begiristain and his successor, Hugo Viana, stating, “We didn’t talk with him… it belongs to the agents and the club” (The Telegraph, May 24, 2025). Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reported an internal sentiment at City that Grealish’s exit is “almost guaranteed,” with the club open to a loan but reluctant to let him join a Premier League rival (Sports Mole, May 24, 2025). X posts, such as @City_Xtra’s earlier note on Grealish’s 2024 Fulham absence, reflect ongoing fan concern about his declining status (X, May 11, 2024).

Reasons Behind the Omission

Several factors contributed to Grealish’s exclusion:

• Limited Game Time: Grealish has started just seven Premier League games this season, scoring one goal and providing five assists in 1,525 minutes, a sharp decline from his 3,686 minutes during City’s 2022-23 treble-winning campaign (The Telegraph, May 22, 2025). His 2025 output—three goals across all competitions—has been underwhelming (The Athletic, Jan 11, 2025).
• Guardiola’s Standards: Guardiola’s dissatisfaction with Grealish’s training performances has been documented. In 2024, he was dropped for a Fulham match due to subpar efforts, and The Athletic reported a “severe reprimand” for lackluster training post-2024 season (The Athletic, Jan 11, 2025; X, May 29, 2024).
• Squad Depth: With City’s squad nearly fully fit, Guardiola faces selection dilemmas, leaving out senior players like Savinho, James McAtee, and Rico Lewis in recent matches (Sports Mole, May 24, 2025). Grealish’s FA Cup final snub, where teenager Claudio Echeverri debuted instead, signaled his fall in the pecking order (The Telegraph, May 22, 2025).
• Injuries and Personal Challenges: Niggling injuries, including a wrist issue and a 2023 dead leg, have disrupted Grealish’s rhythm (Wikipedia, May 24, 2025; The Athletic). A 2023 home break-in also affected him emotionally, compounding his struggles (The Athletic).

Transfer Speculation and Future Prospects

Grealish’s omission has intensified transfer talk, with several clubs linked:

• Newcastle United: Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney have urged Grealish to leave City, with Newcastle a rumored loan destination due to his desire to work under Eddie Howe (Chronicle Live, May 19, 2025). However, City’s reluctance to strengthen a Champions League rival may complicate this (Sports Mole).
• Aston Villa: An emotional return to Villa, where Grealish captained and starred, is speculated, though Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and his £300,000 weekly wage pose challenges (Chronicle Live; Daily Mail).
• Saudi Pro League: X users like those on r/football suggest a Saudi move as a “financial solution,” though it could harm Grealish’s legacy (Reddit, Feb 27, 2025).
• Other Suitors: The Telegraph notes Grealish’s marketability ensures suitors, despite his high wages (The Telegraph, May 24, 2025).

His England career is also at stake. Omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s latest squad for Andorra and Senegal matches, Grealish needs regular minutes to secure a 2026 World Cup spot (Daily Mail; Reddit, Feb 27, 2025). His 605 Premier League minutes this season—his lowest ever—underscore the urgency (Reddit).

Parallels with Tennis Withdrawals

Grealish’s situation resonates with recent tennis withdrawals, like Nick Kyrgios’ from the 2025 French Open due to knee issues (The Irish Sun, May 24, 2025). Both athletes, known for flair and fan appeal, face physical setbacks and career crossroads. Similarly, Emma Raducanu’s injury scare and Alex de Minaur’s mental burnout highlight the broader theme of athletes navigating health and performance pressures (The Guardian, May 22, 2025; The Canberra Times, May 24, 2025). Grealish’s pivot to a potential off-field role, akin to Kyrgios’ commentary stint, is a possibility if injuries persist.

Counterpoints and City’s Perspective

While Grealish’s exit seems likely, some factors suggest caution:

• Contract Length: With two years left on his £300,000-per-week deal until June 2027, City hold leverage, and his wages may deter suitors (Daily Mail; Wikipedia).
• Guardiola’s Sympathy: Guardiola acknowledges Grealish’s frustration, noting, “There is not one player in my locker room… that is happy when they do not play” (The Telegraph, May 22, 2025). He insists Grealish must “play minutes to start to play again,” leaving room for a revival if he regains form (OneFootball, May 20, 2025).
• Past Contributions: Grealish’s treble-winning role in 2022-23, with 11 assists, shows his potential when trusted (The Telegraph). X posts from @ManCity in 2024 praised his FA Cup performances, suggesting he can still contribute (X, Feb 18, 2025).

Conclusion

Jack Grealish’s exclusion from Manchester City’s squad for the May 25, 2025, Fulham clash, as reported by Goal.com and The Telegraph, signals a likely summer exit, with transfer talks set to dominate (Goal.com; The Telegraph, May 24, 2025). His limited 143 minutes in 2025, Guardiola’s tough selection calls, and an “almost guaranteed” departure per Fabrizio Romano paint a clear picture (Sports Mole). Like Kyrgios’ French Open withdrawal, Grealish’s situation reflects the physical and mental toll of elite sport (The Irish Sun). While Newcastle, Villa, or a Saudi move beckon, his high wages and City’s stance on rivals complicate matters (Chronicle Live). Grealish’s next move will define his England hopes and legacy, with time running out to reclaim his spark.