Why Jack Grealish & Kalvin Phillips have been left out of Man City's pre-season squad travelling to Asia
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
City have announced their pre-season squad.
Jack Grealish was left out of Manchester City’s Asia trip. He continues to rehabilitate from a long-term injury. The £100 million signing returned to the Etihad Stadium this summer after a loan stint with Premier League rivals Everton.
Grealish played for Everton during the 2025/26 season. However, his contributions were restricted due to a foot ailment.
While Grealish will be keen for an opportunity to impress new manager Enzo Maresca, he will not receive one for the time being. Jack Grealish’s foot issue was regarded as a major cause for his absence from the City team.
Kalvin Phillips joins Grealish by missing out on City’s pre-season squad
Meanwhile, Kalvin Phillips is available for transfer after not getting called up to Manchester City’s pre-season tour of Asia.
Phillips had a poor 2025-26 season on loan at Bramall Lane, making only three appearances. He was even sent off in his final game for Sheffield United in the Steel City derby victory against Sheffield Wednesday.
Despite these concerns, Chris Wilder is eager to bring him back to the club. City are willing to authorise another loan.
Given part of the discussions, City may want to include a buy clause in the agreement, given Phillips is under contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2028 – and his return to Maresca’s plans appears unlikely at this point.
The tour marks Maresca’s first opportunity to thoroughly evaluate and test his players ahead of the forthcoming Premier League season.
However, the Italian has already concluded Phillips does not have a future with the squad.
The latest rebuff adds to Phillips’ dismal spell at City, which began in July 2022. He was signed from Leeds United for an estimated £42 million.
Why is Jack Grealish not in Manchester City’s pre-season squad?
He has a foot injury.
Why is Kalvin Phillips not in Manchester City’s pre-season squad?
He is not in Enzo Maresca’s plan for next season.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.