Jack Grealish is no stranger to disappointment, especially after missing out on a spot in England’s squad for last year’s European Championship.
With the next Three Lions squad announcement just around the corner—scheduled for Friday, March 14—Grealish is undoubtedly feeling the pressure.
The upcoming international fixtures against Latvia and Albania could be a pivotal moment for the Manchester City star.
But his place in the squad is far from secure, and whether or not he gets the call-up is still very much in question.
Grealish Struggles for Consistency at Manchester City
This season has been a challenging one for the £100 million man.
Grealish, who played a crucial role in City’s Treble-winning campaign, has seen his playing time significantly reduced.
His minutes on the pitch have continued to shrink this season, and his influence on the game has been limited.
In fact, this was just his 14th start of the campaign, with only a handful of those matches coming against lower-league sides like Salford City, Leyton Orient, and Plymouth Argyle.
His tally of two goals and five assists this season pales in comparison to his younger counterparts, like Nico O’Reilly, who scored a brace in the same game.
It’s clear that Grealish is struggling to find his rhythm, and his situation at City has become increasingly uncertain.
Pep Guardiola Expresses Concerns Over Grealish’s Fitness
Just one day after Grealish’s performance, manager Pep Guardiola publicly addressed his concerns about the winger’s fitness and conditioning.
According to sources close to the club, there are whispers that Grealish could be on his way out of Manchester City this summer.
Guardiola’s words seemed to confirm the growing doubts about Grealish’s future at the club.
Guardiola was asked about Grealish’s recent dip in form and had a lot to say.
“Jack played well against Leyton Orient and even against Real Madrid, but after 20 minutes, he was out due to injury,” Guardiola explained.
He pointed out that Grealish has struggled with niggling injuries this season, which has limited his playing time. “
The question isn’t about his quality—it’s never been about that.
The issue is whether he can stay fit and play consistently.”
Guardiola went on to say that Grealish simply can’t manage to play three games in a row due to his injury concerns, which have affected his availability.
While the City boss clearly values Grealish’s ability, the ongoing fitness issues leave doubts about his reliability for both club and country.
Will Thomas Tuchel Trust Grealish for England’s World Cup Ambitions?
As England’s manager, Thomas Tuchel will have taken note of these concerns.
With the 2026 World Cup looming on the horizon, Tuchel will need to assess whether Grealish can be a reliable asset in a high-stakes tournament.
If Guardiola’s comments are anything to go by, Tuchel may have some reservations.
Grealish, who will turn 30 in September, showed glimpses of his talent in his recent match, but his performance wasn’t without its issues.
He was active early on, blocking two shots in the first half and showing off some nice touches.
But despite these moments, Grealish faded as the match went on, struggling to maintain his presence on the field.
His physical condition seemed to hinder his ability to go the distance, as Guardiola had warned.
Despite completing the most dribbles in the match (four), Grealish still has a lot to prove if he wants to regain his spot as a regular starter for both Manchester City and the England national team.
Grealish Faces a Critical Time to Prove Himself
With the season winding down, Grealish is quickly running out of time to make his mark.
His performances have been steady but unspectacular, and it’s clear that he’ll need to step up if he wants to avoid being left out of both City’s future plans and England’s World Cup squad.
Shackled by injuries, a lack of consistent playing time, and a manager who has expressed doubts over his reliability, Grealish faces a critical period.
If he’s to turn things around, he’ll need to find another gear and finish the season strong.
With Manchester City’s bold summer rebuild plans in the works, Grealish’s future at the club—and his role with the national team—will depend on his ability to prove himself in the final months of the season.
Whether or not he can do that remains to be seen.