Grealish - what would you do?

[BlueinBosnia]

His reluctance to toe the line is a problem when he's not performing. He has personal demons which go back to the death of his young brother - (just my take)and I reckon he thinks fuck it, enjoy life. Cannot fault him for that. Its not worked out for him here but he has more medals than most when he looks back. Just hope that he gets a move to a club that lets him express himself and he cracks on but honestly, I'd be surprised if he does

On top of that, if I performed well in my job and the next week I was off a project, just because, then I'd probably get to a point of thinking "fuck it then".

I know that we don't know all that goes on, but from the outside, thats exactly where his head is at and then he goes off on the pop and the circle continues. He clearly needs help, this nonsense of him going into rehab and then going back on the town say that someone needs to get him to sort his shit out. Unfortunately, it starts with him and I don't think he has it in himself to do it

Some of this about him being out on the pop is just media talk, though. Take a look at this headline from the Daily Mail a few weeks ago:

Jack Grealish is the LAST to leave Kevin De Bruyne's farewell party in 1.35am exit

Then, a few paragraphs down, you read:

And De Bruyne made the most of his Wednesday night out, staying with his wife Michele Lacroix until about 1.30am.

So, basically, Grealish left 5 minutes after De Bruyne, which can easily be accounted for by nipping to the loo, putting on your jacket, and saying a couple of quick thankyous and goodbyes. Also, when you look at the outfits in pictures of people leaving and arriving, although it's not conclusive, it looks like Pep is standing next to the entrance as De Bruyne is coming out (very specific cream combat-joggers with a really long drawstring). Also, from video footage, Stones, Nunes and Haaland all leave between the two. But the Mail (and other media) decided to blow this into a headline story. I'm not saying he hasn't brought it on himself, but this is simply negative press for the sake of titillation.

[Hazy2]

I was chuffed when he arrived. I’ve seen one or two performances in the last 18 months. Like a few others his levels are nowhere near where we need or he is capable of.

Reasons. I think he’s a gem of a lad. Ideally he would say to himself. I want to return my best here. I can’t see it tbh .

It’s a mystery the player and the club should have sorted months ago. It’s a shame.

[Indianablue]

He's either left out of the squad because Pep wants him to recharge his batteries and get himself sorted for the new season or Pep doesn't see him as part of his plans.
Personally I think it's the latter He had a decent treble season but he never fulfilled his true potential glued to the wing. Goal tally woefully short and his crosses often missed the target. Pep intransigence might have contributed but a serious sportsman does not get wasted like he does. Shades of Gascoigne and Best but nowhere near their talent. Stan Bowles without the goals.
Lovely fella, pretty low intelligence, hope he gets a club to show his talents. Bit of a luxury for any club unless he bangs in some goals or creates more. Being adept at drawing a foul ain't football for me. I'd rather he beat a man and do something with it. I 've like him best when he has played more centrally, I thought he could do well in midfield but the transfer window has scuppered that plan

[Mase]

The question "what would you do" - now that's the real question.

Me personally, I'd smother him in baby oil and force him to train with his shirt off.

[Hazy2]

The question "what would you do" - now that's the real question.

Me personally, I'd smother him on baby oil and force him to train with his shirt off.

Saps him for Livramento. Or Watkins?

[Mase]

The question "what would you do" - now that's the real question.

Me personally, I'd smother him on baby oil and force him to train with his shirt off.

Saps him for Livramento. Or Watkins?

I wouldn't swap him for the world, personally.

[Hazy2]

The question "what would you do" - now that's the real question.

Me personally, I'd smother him on baby oil and force him to train with his shirt off.

Saps him for Livramento. Or Watkins?

I wouldn't swap him for the world, personally.

I respect that. Sadly he appears to have no future here.

[city72]

When will we find out who’s wife he fuked?

[Bluemoon4610]

When will we find out who’s wife he fuked?

Might be more who he hasn't...

[Dubciteh]

We are a better team when Jack starts, and pep thought that too up until recently as was proven when he started him at home to Madrid in the CL. He started well that night but went off injured. Something has happened between then and now thats clearly led to a fallen out with Pep and once that happens theres only going to be one winner.

I think our best option on the left is Jack for 60/70 mins and then doku for last 20 when defences are tired. Jacks race is run here for us though and its a big pity, he seems really likeable and he has brought us a whole new fanbase and level of attention which is part of the reason we paid 100m

Our treble side was one of the greatest of all time and he played an important part in it so for that reason alone he cant be considered a flop.

People say Pep ruined him but i read a stat(not sure how true it is) that he has more goals and assists for us in the prem than he had for villa. Either way goals and assists were never his strongest point and that hasnt changed.

[Nickyboy]

We are a better team when Jack starts, and pep thought that too up until recently as was proven when he started him at home to Madrid in the CL. He started well that night but went off injured. Something has happened between then and now thats clearly led to a fallen out with Pep and once that happens theres only going to be one winner.

I think our best option on the left is Jack for 60/70 mins and then doku for last 20 when defences are tired. Jacks race is run here for us though and its a big pity, he seems really likeable and he has brought us a whole new fanbase and level of attention which is part of the reason we paid 100m

Our treble side was one of the greatest of all time and he played an important part in it so for that reason alone he cant be considered a flop.

People say Pep ruined him but i read a stat(not sure how true it is) that he has more goals and assists for us in the prem than he had for villa. Either way goals and assists were never his strongest point and that hasnt changed.

I agree with all of this. We as City fans need to remember his contribution to potentially the best premier league side ever and not got bogged down with the modern obsession of goals and assists being the be all and end all and use your eyes to see the actual contribution to the team and the strategy. He was heavily trusted in the run in to all 3 trophies in the treble season.

It's sad he never pushed on after that, but I feel it's our duty as fans not to help the red top and opposition fans agenda that he's been a flop as he's been far from it.

The time seems right for him to now move on. I for one will miss him

[Indianablue]

We are a better team when Jack starts, and pep thought that too up until recently as was proven when he started him at home to Madrid in the CL. He started well that night but went off injured. Something has happened between then and now thats clearly led to a fallen out with Pep and once that happens theres only going to be one winner.

I think our best option on the left is Jack for 60/70 mins and then doku for last 20 when defences are tired. Jacks race is run here for us though and its a big pity, he seems really likeable and he has brought us a whole new fanbase and level of attention which is part of the reason we paid 100m

Our treble side was one of the greatest of all time and he played an important part in it so for that reason alone he cant be considered a flop.

People say Pep ruined him but i read a stat(not sure how true it is) that he has more goals and assists for us in the prem than he had for villa. Either way goals and assists were never his strongest point and that hasnt changed.

I agree with all of this. We as City fans need to remember his contribution to potentially the best premier league side ever and not got bogged down with the modern obsession of goals and assists being the be all and end all and use your eyes to see the actual contribution to the team and the strategy. He was heavily trusted in the run in to all 3 trophies in the treble season.

It's sad he never pushed on after that, but I feel it's our duty as fans not to help the red top and opposition fans agenda that he's been a flop as he's been far from it.

The time seems right for him to now move on. I for one will miss him

Decent performances in the last half of a treble season is not a good return on investment. Instead of kicking on at City, his standing has fallen. His highlight reel is one of him pissed up legless.. Big heart, thick as mince but hasn't been great. No one is knocking at the door to buy. Tells you what most, apart from die hard loyal fans can see

[sheblue]

I like the man but lets stop sugar coating it and face reality, he has not been worth what we paid for him.

Being left out of the squad to travel to the CWC has to be a big blow for him personally. Love to know what really happened, it must have been serious.

[Nickyboy]

We are a better team when Jack starts, and pep thought that too up until recently as was proven when he started him at home to Madrid in the CL. He started well that night but went off injured. Something has happened between then and now thats clearly led to a fallen out with Pep and once that happens theres only going to be one winner.

I think our best option on the left is Jack for 60/70 mins and then doku for last 20 when defences are tired. Jacks race is run here for us though and its a big pity, he seems really likeable and he has brought us a whole new fanbase and level of attention which is part of the reason we paid 100m

Our treble side was one of the greatest of all time and he played an important part in it so for that reason alone he cant be considered a flop.

People say Pep ruined him but i read a stat(not sure how true it is) that he has more goals and assists for us in the prem than he had for villa. Either way goals and assists were never his strongest point and that hasnt changed.

I agree with all of this. We as City fans need to remember his contribution to potentially the best premier league side ever and not got bogged down with the modern obsession of goals and assists being the be all and end all and use your eyes to see the actual contribution to the team and the strategy. He was heavily trusted in the run in to all 3 trophies in the treble season.

It's sad he never pushed on after that, but I feel it's our duty as fans not to help the red top and opposition fans agenda that he's been a flop as he's been far from it.

The time seems right for him to now move on. I for one will miss him

Decent performances in the last half of a treble season is not a good return on investment. Instead of kicking on at City, his standing has fallen. His highlight reel is one of him pissed up legless.. Big heart, thick as mince but hasn't been great. No one is knocking at the door to buy. Tells you what most, apart from die hard loyal fans can see

Depends how you define ROI.

Being a core component of the most successfull season in the clubs history probably scores quite highly.

And the club won't be just factoring in what happens on the pitch either - pretty sure the accountants at the club would confirm he's been worth well more than the £100m we paid for him in terms of financial ROI for image rights and sponsorships

[Indianablue]

We are a better team when Jack starts, and pep thought that too up until recently as was proven when he started him at home to Madrid in the CL. He started well that night but went off injured. Something has happened between then and now thats clearly led to a fallen out with Pep and once that happens theres only going to be one winner.

I think our best option on the left is Jack for 60/70 mins and then doku for last 20 when defences are tired. Jacks race is run here for us though and its a big pity, he seems really likeable and he has brought us a whole new fanbase and level of attention which is part of the reason we paid 100m

Our treble side was one of the greatest of all time and he played an important part in it so for that reason alone he cant be considered a flop.

People say Pep ruined him but i read a stat(not sure how true it is) that he has more goals and assists for us in the prem than he had for villa. Either way goals and assists were never his strongest point and that hasnt changed.

I agree with all of this. We as City fans need to remember his contribution to potentially the best premier league side ever and not got bogged down with the modern obsession of goals and assists being the be all and end all and use your eyes to see the actual contribution to the team and the strategy. He was heavily trusted in the run in to all 3 trophies in the treble season.

It's sad he never pushed on after that, but I feel it's our duty as fans not to help the red top and opposition fans agenda that he's been a flop as he's been far from it.

The time seems right for him to now move on. I for one will miss him

Decent performances in the last half of a treble season is not a good return on investment. Instead of kicking on at City, his standing has fallen. His highlight reel is one of him pissed up legless.. Big heart, thick as mince but hasn't been great. No one is knocking at the door to buy. Tells you what most, apart from die hard loyal fans can see

Depends how you define ROI.

Being a core component of the most successfull season in the clubs history probably scores quite highly.

And the club won't be just factoring in what happens on the pitch either - pretty sure the accountants at the club would confirm he's been worth well more than the £100m we paid for him in terms of financial ROI for image rights and sponsorships

He was bought for his football ability. £100m was way too much, our fault we paid over the odds. £70m at best. Did he make up for it with great performances no. Scored less than at Villa, went sides and backwards alot, fell over drawing a foul was his best skill. Could not hit a barn door with a banjo. In footballing terms he's been inconsistent. Off the field drinking publicity has been a fucking embarrassment. I like his attitude and manner to children and the empathy he shows to underprivileged. I don't think he's a Billy big bollocks, a hands up from me. But ultimately we bought him to play football . Sane, Mahrez , Sterling put him in the shade. Palmer done more this season than Grealish in total. Used to stay in a hotel in Bolton that Wanderers players used before games. The number of times John McGinlay was so pissed he couldn't find his bed yet he could play and find the net unfortunately Jack will go down as the piss head that was part of a successful City team. Something Scot Carson can say

[Truesilverblue]

Don't think he played enough to sort of cement his place but tbh he also never made the most of the chances he had. Guessing he has a preference for the night life.

[aaron bond]

He’s been with us for 4 years.

In that time he’s been great for about 4 months from Jan-Apr 2023. He was a big part in how we won our treble. He faded towards the end of the season but we still won everything that year.

Before that and since then he’s not been good enough. Furthermore, he’s the only footballer at a top club who is often pictured in pubs/bars/clubs looking worse for wear.

I like Jack. He seems like a nice guy and appears to be well liked amongst his peers. But his performances have not been good enough over 4 years and he’s clearly not the top level professional required for where we want to be.

I wish him all the best but it’s best for all parties he moves on.

[Indianablue]

Pep making noises about keeping Jack. Perhaps it's quiet on the transfer offers front

[Im_Spartacus]

Pep making noises about keeping Jack. Perhaps it's quiet on the transfer offers front

The way the comments have been sliced and diced on the first glance were reported that Grealish was told to leave (as reported by the Mail and others)

City will listen to loan offers if they cannot find a willing bidder for a man they signed from Aston Villa for £100million in 2021.

Guardiola said: ‘He had a conversation with the club and they decided it was best.

But actually the comments said nothing of the sort. When read in full, and in the correct order very much suggest that he's being given a break to pull himself together and the opportunity to come back with the fire in his belly he's been missing for the last 2 years - it doesn't seem like there's a clear decision that he's leaving. Here's what he actually said in full.

But Guardiola, while offering no guarantees about the England midfielder’s prospects at City, says his absence is more about giving him time away to regroup. Speaking ahead of City’s tournament opener against Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday night (8pm UAE) in Philadelphia, Guardiola said:

“He had a conversation with the club and decided the best. Jack is an exceptional player but he didn’t play a lot. We decided he has to play. We’re honest and he’s honest. We decided the best was to stay behind and find that he can play, that he can come back to the player of the year of the treble and all his career at Aston Villa.

But the fact is he didn’t play much minutes the last two seasons. He has to come back to play and have the butterflies in his stomach that he can play every three days and show again the quality that he has. We decided don’t come here. What happens, I don’t know, but if he doesn’t [leave] he is a player for Man City and he will be back.”

Guardiola denied this meant he felt Grealish no longer has a hunger for the game, but said he failed to compete with his teammates and did not deserve to be picked.

“The reason he didn’t play is my decisions. Football is competing with each other – not just Jack, all of them. They compete for who deserves to play. The butterflies are an example of the tension and they happen for all the players. Over the last two years he didn’t play much and I take responsibility for that, but he has to play and we reflected that it was better not to come here.”

All that said, the lad needs to leave and play football - he's picked up a lot of money and everything there is to win here, but he's hardly played football during the prime years of his career and that's a crying shame

[stevefromdonny]

its all down to him, when he was coming thro at villa, he was done for drink driving and then he came here and carried on, its ok having a bit of fun after season ends but your face is all over the papers getting rat arsed, i think pep got fed up with it.