Skip to main content

Football

'Don't ask me about Jack' - Guardiola defiant on Grealish future after Fulham omission

jack-grealish-pep-guardiola_18qtonfgkwm301dckps8l2iuib.jpg

Pep Guardiola insisted the decision to leave Jack Grealish out of Manchester City's squad to play Fulham on the final day of the Premier League season was "nothing personal".

The uncertainty around the winger's future increased after he did not travel to Craven Cottage, where Guardiola's side secured third place with a 2-0 victory.

Advertisement

Grealish started just seven of his 20 Premier League appearances this season, while scoring just three goals across all competitions.

The 29-year-old was an unused substitute for last weekend's FA Cup final defeat by Crystal Palace, and was also left out of Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad.

Nevertheless, Guardiola was defiant when questioned about Grealish's future.

"Don't ask me about Jack," he said. "Who said I'm not happy with Jack? Rico [Lewis] was not selected, [James] McAtee was exceptional against Aston Villa and Wolves - why not ask me about McAtee? It's not personal.

"I treat Jack like I think of [Abdukodir] Khusanov, [James] McAtee and all the players who have not been [included]. I have 24 players. I have to get rid of five players because [Mateo] Kovacic was sent off in the last game.

"It's nothing personal with Jack. I'm the person who fought for him to come here and the person who fought for him to stay here this season and the next season.

"I'm the one who said I want Jack Grealish. Now, he didn't come [to the game] because he didn't come, but not something else. What happens in the future is a job for Txiki [Begiristain] and the agents."

Upcoming Matches

competition-logo
English Premier League
Gameweek 16 of 38
Saturday, 13 Dec
11:00 PM
Chelsea-team-logo Chelsea
Everton-team-logo Everton
11:00 PM
Liverpool-team-logo Liverpool
Brighton Hove Albion-team-logo Brighton Hove Albion
Sunday, 14 Dec
01:30 AM
Burnley-team-logo Burnley
Fulham-team-logo Fulham
04:00 AM
Arsenal-team-logo Arsenal
Wolverhampton Wanderers-team-logo Wolverhampton Wanderers
10:00 PM
Nottingham Forest-team-logo Nottingham Forest
Tottenham Hotspur-team-logo Tottenham Hotspur
10:00 PM
Crystal Palace-team-logo Crystal Palace
Manchester City-team-logo Manchester City
10:00 PM
West Ham United-team-logo West Ham United
Aston Villa-team-logo Aston Villa
10:00 PM
Sunderland-team-logo Sunderland
Newcastle United-team-logo Newcastle United
Monday, 15 Dec
12:30 AM
Brentford-team-logo Brentford
Leeds United-team-logo Leeds United
Tuesday, 16 Dec
04:00 AM
Manchester United-team-logo Manchester United
Bournemouth AFC-team-logo Bournemouth AFC

Must Watch Video