Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about Jack Grealish's absence from the squad for the Fulham game
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Jack Grealish of Manchester City after his sides 1-0 defeat during the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Jack Grealish was not part of the Manchester City squad at Fulham
Pep Guardiola said that leaving Jack Grealish out for the Fulham game was a 'selection' decision.. There was no room for Grealish in the matchday squad at Fulham, with youngster Claudio Echeverri among those included instead of him.
Guardiola raised eyebrows in the FA Cup final at Wembley when he brought Echeverri on for his debut over Grealish as City chased the game. And City's £100m signing was the most high-profile absence from the group at Craven Cottage for the final game of the season before the Club World Cup next month.
The club website did not cite an injury for Grealish as they did for John Stones, and Guardiola simply told broadcasters pre-match that he had decided on other players.
Grealish has started just one of the last 21 league games, but this is the first time this season that he has been left out of the City squad completely when he has been available. It will only lead to more questions over his future ahead of a summer where the club intend to rebuild the squad.
Guardiola has been clear in recent weeks about the disappointment of leaving players out of his squad. A number of individuals have been cut in recent weeks, including summer signing Savinho and one of Guardiola's most used players in Rico Lewis.
"I said to the club I don't want that [a bigger squad]. I don't want to leave five or six players in the freezer. I don't want that. I will quit," he said on Tuesday. "If they make a shorter squad I will stay. It's impossible for my soul to give my players in the tribune that they cannot play.
"Maybe for three or four months we couldn't select 11 players, we didn't have defenders, it was so difficult. After people come back but next season it cannot be like that.
"As a manager I cannot train 24 players and every time I select I have to have four, five, six stay in Manchester at home because they cannot play. This is not going to happen. I said to the club I don't want that."
City are looking to confirm Champions League qualification at Fulham on the final day. They need a point to ensure a top-five finish, although could afford to lose if other results go their way.
Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are all in the same race and Forest host Chelsea at the City Ground.
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