Manchester City departed for its pre-season tour of Hong Kong and Seoul without midfielder Jack Grealish, despite the player’s recent return to training activities. The 30-year-old has been sidelined since sustaining a foot injury in January while on loan at Everton, where he had begun showing improved form. The injury also eliminated any prospect of his participation in the World Cup for England.
Grealish remains under contract with City through the final 12 months of his agreement, though no extension discussions have materialized regarding his reported £300,000-a-week compensation. His status within the club remains uncertain under new manager Enzo Maresca, who replaced Pep Guardiola. While Maresca stated he maintains a positive relationship with Grealish and views coaching him as part of his responsibilities, the manager has indicated willingness to explore potential departures.
Maresca’s openness to a move has been potentially complicated by reported incidents of Grealish appearing in photographs in public settings over recent months. The midfielder previously addressed similar perceptions following City’s success in 2023, characterizing such moments as him simply enjoying himself rather than fitting a particular image.
Grealish has not participated in competitive football since the beginning of the year. The touring squad of 28 players features several notable absences, with Erling Haaland, Elliot Anderson, Rayan Cherki and Nico O’Reilly given time away after World Cup involvement. City will face Inter Milan in Maresca’s inaugural match on Saturday, followed by contests against K-League All Stars and Atletico Madrid in Seoul during the coming week.
Separately, fellow midfielder Kalvin Phillips has also been excluded from the tour following an unsuccessful loan spell at Sheffield United in the Championship. Phillips has appeared in only seven minutes of EFL Cup competition since joining City in 2022, and the club appears open to offers for his departure this summer.
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