Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca was asked about Mateo Kovacic and Jack Grealish after the friendly defeat to Inter.
HONG KONG, CHINA - JULY 31: Head coach Enzo Maresca of Manchester City talks to media during the Manchester City Press Conference at the Kai Tak Stadium on July 31, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Thomas Tang/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
HONG KONG, CHINA - JULY 31: Head coach Enzo Maresca of Manchester City talks to media during the Manchester City Press Conference at the Kai Tak Stadium on July 31, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Thomas Tang/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
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Enzo Maresca refused to give assurances over Mateo Kovacic and Jack Grealish as Manchester City played the first game of their pre-season tour. The Blues were the better side in a 1-1 draw with Inter over 90 minutes but their penalties were terrible and they lost the shootout in Hong Kong.
Mateo Kovacic started the game as a holding midfield player, having linked up with the squad this week after some holiday time following Croatia's World Cup campaign. The 32-year-old only has one year remaining on his contract and missed most of last season with injury but has shown over the summer what he can still offer.
Whether that is at the Etihad this season though remains to be seen. Kovacic has been linked with an exit and when Maresca was asked whether he was counting on him for the year he raised the prospect that he would not be. "Mateo is our player, so while he is here I will do my best. If Mateo is here, we will continue to work with him. It is my duty to make players better."
Maresca gave the same message when asked about Jack Grealish, having laughed when asked if he had stayed in contact with him during the trip. Grealish recently commented on social media to clarify that he had not been "left out" of the touring squad, confirming he is still recovering from injury, although the expectation remains that he will leave City either on loan or on a permanent deal this summer.
"I didn't speak with Jack while I am here," Maresca said. "Jack is a City player. When we are back in Manchester, if he is fit he will work with us."