Jack Grealish (foto: Getty Images)
With Grealish omitted from England and Man City's Club World Cup squad, Thomas Tuchel warns the winger must play regularly to reclaim form and return to the national team.
Jack Grealish’s Manchester City career continues to unravel, and now England boss Thomas Tuchel has delivered a blunt warning to the winger: play consistently or risk being left behind.
The 28-year-old has reportedly been left out of City’s Club World Cup squad, further signalling a steep decline in his standing under Pep Guardiola. Once City's record signing, Grealish made just seven Premier League starts during the 2024–25 campaign and was excluded from both the final league match against Fulham and the FA Cup final. Guardiola even opted to debut 18-year-old Claudio Echeverri instead of bringing on the England international.
Tuchel, speaking after leaving Grealish out of the England squad, praised the player's character but made it clear that a lack of minutes is costing him.
“I love Jack for his personality and of course his talent. He is a very unique player who can handle big pressure. But he’s a player who needs minutes—minutes and minutes—and he simply does not get them,” Tuchel said.
The England manager acknowledged Grealish’s likely omission from City's squad traveling to the United States for the Club World Cup and reiterated that consistent playing time is essential to his success.
“That’s what’s missing. Nothing else. I have spoken to him after the first international camp and shortly after the FA Cup final, but not since then,” he added.
Grealish, who joined City for £100 million in 2021, was once seen as a vital creative force. But with a total of only 715 Premier League minutes last season, he has become a peripheral figure.
Sources close to the player suggest that a summer transfer could now be on the cards, as he looks to revive his form ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Whether that comes through a new Premier League side or a move abroad remains to be seen.