Man City’s Jack Grealish responds to Mateo Kovacic’s ‘thank you’ message
Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic has sent out a new message amid rumours he could join Jack Grealish by potentially leaving the club this summer.
It was exclusively revealed in April by Football Insider that Kovacic could be one of six first team players to leave Man City this summer.
Pep Guardiola went trophyless for the just the second time in his managerial spell at City as an injury to Rodri early in the campaign derailed their season.
City were also unable to win the Club World Cup as they suffered a shock 4-3 defeat to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal at the last 16 stage.
Grealish was left out of City’s Club World Cup squad and has fallen out of favour under Guardiola with the 29-year-old expected to depart.
Kovacic gives off-season update
Despite the possibility of leaving the club, Kovacic has been seen enjoying his post-season break.
The Croatian international took to Instagram to share images from his holidays, with the caption: “Thank you, summer,” which was liked by Grealish.
The 31-year-old appeared 42 times for City last season, scoring seven goals and registering three assists from midfield.
Changing of the guard in City midfield
Football Insider Verdict
With the signings of Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders to further add to Guardiola’s midfield options, Grealish and Kovacic could both make way.
Grealish is certainly expected to depart, with the England international failing to make an impact last season and fellow Premier League club’s, like Newcastle and Everton, interested in taking him on.
| Appearances | 32 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 5 |
Fellow midfielder Kalvin Phillips though is also expected to leave after a tough few years at the club, and Ilkay Gundogan has been linked with a move to Turkish side Galatasaray.
If Guardiola was to lose all four players, he may need to return to the transfer market, but the come back of Rodri during the Club World Club immediately makes City’s midfield stronger ahead of the new season.
Guardiola will be desperate to return the club to winning titles and the Spaniard will relish the challenge of chasing down the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal for the Premier League crown.
City will start the Premier League season at Wolves before hosting Tottenham at the Etihad.