Manchester City's Jack Grealish
Manchester City's Jack Grealish(Image: PA)
Jack Grealish has hit back at criticism of his form as he nears the exit door at Manchester City amid continuing transfer speculation with a loan move to Newcastle United.
The 29-year-old started just one of the last nine games of the Premier League season as City chased Champions League qualification and was left out of the squad that travelled to Fulham on the final day.
Grealish was also snubbed in the 1-0 FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace last month, with Guardiola opting to send on 19-year-old debutant Claudio Echeverri instead of the England international for the final 15 minutes as City chased an equaliser at Wembley.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Grealish is set to be left out of the City squad that travels to the Club World Cup finals in the United States later this month.
It all means that the attacker has one foot out of the Etihad exit door. A move to Newcastle has been mooted, with the player and his representatives believed to be keen on a switch to Tyneside and a link up with Eddie Howe.
It's a transfer deal that Newcastle aren't pursuing at the minute, however. The Magpies have other priorities and a move for Grealish - either permanently or on loan - isn't on their agenda.
It's a verdict backed by supporters. Chronicle Live conducted a poll over the last couple of weeks, asking fans if they'd like to see Grealish at the club. Almost 4,000 people took part and the answers were unanimous, with 72 per cent saying no. Only nine per cent wanted to sign the winger, with a further 19 per cent saying they'd take him but only on loan.
Grealish's fall from grace comes after he had cost City £100m four years ago when he joined from Aston Villa in a then-British record fee, and is on wages of £300,000 per week.
He has barely featured under Guardiola this season, but has come out and defended himself this week.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Grealish's former Villa team-mate, Agbonlahor, criticised Guardiola's usage of the midfielder: "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," he said. "That seemed 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."
Naturally, Agbonlahor's comments caused a stir in the comments, with one user claiming Grealish had "been bad lately and I'm not surprised Pep did that".
However, Grealish was quick to clap back at the comments about his form during the 2024/25 season, replying: "Haha I've been bad lately? Scored three goals in my last three appearances over 45 mins but okie dokie love x."
Grealish, who has two years left on his deal at the Etihad, added: "What u want me to do, score a hatty in 20?"