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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola expressed his opinion on Jack Grealish’s England call up despite being injured. Guardiola revealed that his England counterpart, Lee Carsley, didn’t contact him before including Grealish in the squad. Notably, Grealish has not been featured for City since he came in as a substitute against Wolves on October 20. The game saw City registering a 2-1 win over their counterparts.
However, to everyone’s surprise, Grealish received an England call up for their forthcoming games against Greece and Republic of Ireland. The decision left Guardiola perplexed who insisted Grealish isn’t available for City’s forthcoming Premier League clash against Brighton on Saturday. Not only this, but he also revealed that Carsley didn’t have a word with him before selecting the England squad.
England can select who they want: Pep Guardiola on Jack Grealish’s England call up
The Man City boss spoke about Grealish’s fitness and said that he had spent two days in the gym but it was on Friday that he took part in training for the first time. Guardiola said, “It is (Carsley’s) decision. Seventeen days he didn’t train once. Today was the first training session and he trained for 20 minutes. This is the reality.”
He added, “He was in the gym for a few minutes, yes, the last two days. It’s a question for the manager from (England) – I’m not involved. They can select who they want. All I’d say is the day after Wolves, he was injured, 17 days out and today was the first training with the team.”
For my team tomorrow he’s not fit: Pep Guardiola on not picking Jack Grealish for Man City clash against Brighton
Pep Guardiola said that while England can choose who they want, the footballer is not fit to play in his squad during the Premier League clash. Guardiola said, “They can select who they want. Jack trained today and believes he can help us – I’m not the guy to say you cannot go. But for my team tomorrow he’s not fit – he cannot play. All I can say is that for a couple of days over two weeks he didn’t train but the people from England believe he can help. So go.”
The 53-year-old further added, “He’s had two or three setbacks – in terms of injuries – and could not get his rhythm. He has to be (motivated) – he has to be fit to play. Not only Jack – there are many players who this happens to – this is the reality.”
