Jack Grealish and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Photo: Reuters
Jack Grealish and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Photo: Reuters
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Jack Grealish has hit back at his critics as he starts the search for a new club following Manchester City’s decision not to take him to the Club World Cup.
It was revealed that Grealish, who cost £100million from Aston Villa in 2021, has been given the summer to secure a move away from City by being left out of the Club World Cup squad.
That prompted Grealish’s former Villa team-mate Gabriel Agbonlahor to accuse City manager Pep Guardiola of making the 29-year-old’s omission from the FA Cup final team “a bit personal.”
Guardiola insisted that his decision to leave Grealish out of his squad for the final Premier League game of the season against Fulham was not personal and should he leave City, then he will do so with their blessing, respect and best wishes.
Responding to a video of Agbonlahor pointing the finger at Guardiola on social media, Grealish posted a message that said: “What do you want me to do? Score a hatty (hat-trick) in 20 (minutes)?”
Grealish replied to another post that said: “Dude ack is been bad lately and I’m not surprised Pep did that.” In response, Grealish said: “Haha, I’ve been bad lately? Scored 3 goals in my last 3 appearances over 45 mins but okie dokie love x”
During his last 13 appearances, Grealish scored three goals - against Salford City, Paris Saint-Germain and Leicester City. He played more than 45 minutes in six of those games.
Grealish did not make an appearance in the FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, having played in every other round and starred in the semi-final victory over Nottingham Forest at Wembley.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor said: “Bringing on a young kid for his debut in an FA Cup final when you’re chasing a goal, when you’ve got someone who has had the career Jack’s had seemed a bit odd. That seemed like a bit personal to me.
“You know like a last little dig to get you out, to upset you, to want you to move, but we’ve seen this before from Pep. Pep can be ruthless at times if he feels that you’re not part of his future plans. He will get rid of you.”