In a surprising turn of events, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his bewilderment over the decision to call up an injured Jack Grealish to the England national team. The 28-year-old midfielder, who has been sidelined since City’s 2-1 victory against Wolves on October 20th, was named in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the upcoming international fixtures against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Guardiola Left in the Dark
What has left Guardiola particularly perplexed is the apparent lack of communication from England assistant manager Lee Carsley before Grealish’s inclusion in the squad. When asked if he had spoken to Carsley prior to the announcement, the Spaniard replied with a simple “No.”
The Man City boss went on to clarify that while he wouldn’t stand in the way of a player representing their country, Grealish’s current fitness levels are not up to par for the upcoming Premier League clash against Brighton. “I’m not the guy to say you cannot go,” Guardiola stated, “but for my team tomorrow [Saturday], he’s not fit, he cannot play.”
Conflicting Reports on Grealish’s Training
Adding to the confusion are the conflicting reports surrounding Grealish’s training status. Carsley had previously mentioned that the midfielder had been training with City “for the last couple of days,” a claim that Guardiola was quick to dispute. The City manager clarified that Grealish had only been in the gym for a few minutes over the past two days and that Friday marked his first training session with the team since his injury.
He was in the gym for a few minutes, yes, the last two days. It’s a question for the manager from the UK. I’m not involved. They can select who they want.
– Pep Guardiola on Jack Grealish’s training status
Grealish Determined to Join England Squad
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his fitness, Grealish appears determined to join up with the England squad. Guardiola revealed that he had spoken to the midfielder since his call-up and that the player had expressed his desire to represent his country. “He said he wants to go to the national team,” the City boss confirmed.
Man City’s Struggles and the International Break
The controversy comes at a challenging time for Manchester City, who are looking to break a three-game losing streak when they face Brighton on Saturday. The team hasn’t lost four consecutive matches in all competitions since 2006, and Guardiola himself has never experienced such a run during his managerial career.
While the reasons behind City’s recent struggles remain a topic of discussion, Guardiola is hopeful that the upcoming international break will provide an opportunity for some of his injured players to recover and return to action in better shape. “We know the reason why we struggle,” he stated cryptically, adding, “We are looking forward to the game and then the international break. After that, a few [injured] players come back better.”
The Balancing Act Between Club and Country
The situation with Grealish highlights the delicate balancing act that often exists between club and country, particularly when it comes to managing player fitness and injury recovery. While international managers are understandably keen to have their best players available, club coaches are equally concerned about the well-being and availability of their stars for crucial domestic fixtures.
As the international break approaches, all eyes will be on Grealish and his progress as he looks to navigate the demands of both his club and country. For Guardiola and Manchester City, the hope will be that their star midfielder returns unscathed and ready to contribute to the team’s pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts.
