Jack Grealish told to quit Man City amid dig at ‘angry Pep Guardiola’
Pep Guardiola’s treatment of Jack Grealish in recent weeks makes this summer the perfect time for him to leave Manchester City.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson argued that Grealish is a player who needs to feature “every week” in order to be at his best.
Grealish hasn’t been afforded that luxury by Guardiola this season, and has told friends that he “doesn’t expect” to still be a Man City player next term after being left out of their last matchday squad at Fulham.
Man United, Tottenham, Newcastle and a return to Aston Villa could all be possible destinations for Grealish this summer, but Robinson told Football Insider that game-time is the most important factor.
Guardiola grew frustrated and arguably angry at questions about Grealish’s future after his decision to drop him against Fulham, but Robinson argued that the City boss brought those questions on himself.
Man City exit inevitable after Grealish snubs
Man City are reluctant to sanction a loan move for Grealish this summer as interested clubs circle, but the “huge price tag” of £100million paid to Aston Villa four years ago has arguably distorted his value.
Speaking on the latest Inside Track, Robinson urged Grealish to move on from Man City at all costs this summer, and took aim at Guardiola for his poor handling of the out-of-favour winger’s situation.
“For Jack Grealish, you want to see him back playing and enjoying his football”, Robinson told Football Insider.
“He’s gone to Manchester City – a massive move, a huge price tag – and you look at what he’s achieved there.
“For Grealish to go and find his love for football again… Jack’s a better player when he plays every week – he’s not relished the situation at Manchester City where he may get one or two starts.
“Then, if he hasn’t scored… he doesn’t play again… for Jack himself, it may be the right move to leave, to play regular first team football.
“He’s that type of player that is going to attract attention – if you don’t want questions about Jack Grealish’s future, don’t put him on the bench.”
Grealish exit the first of many at Man City
Although interested clubs have queued up to enquire about the possibility of signing Grealish this summer, it remains to be seen what level of transfer fee City will accept to sell the winger permanently.
Kevin De Bruyne’s departure from the Etihad Stadium has already been confirmed and the back end of the season became a farewell parade for the Belgian, but Grealish, Bernardo Silva and other could follow.
City have wasted no time in their efforts to find a successor for De Bruyne, and with the versatile Rayan Cherki on their radar for just £20m, a potential Grealish replacement could accelerate his own exit from the Etihad this summer.