Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed the decision to leave Jack Grealish out of the squad for their final Premier League match of the season, a 2-0 victory over Fulham. This win ensured that City maintained their position in next season’s Champions League, avoiding a potentially disastrous drop to the Europa League.

Grealish, who has had a challenging season, has only started seven out of 20 appearances in the league. Guardiola was quick to defend his choice, emphasizing that it was purely a selection decision and not a reflection of his feelings towards Grealish. "Don't ask me about Jack," Guardiola stated, expressing frustration at the focus on the midfielder. He noted that other players, including Rico Lewis and James McAtee, had shown exceptional form, making it a tough call for squad selection.

Guardiola reiterated his belief in Grealish, stating that he fought for the player to join City and to remain part of the team moving forward. However, he acknowledged that Grealish needs to play regularly, which has not been the case this season. "It’s a question for Jack, his agent, and the club - if he stays it will be fine and he fought like he fought from day one," he added.

The situation is compounded by the fact that City is likely to undergo significant changes this summer, with a large squad expected to be trimmed. Guardiola has hinted that he prefers to work with a smaller group of players, which could impact Grealish’s future at the club. The manager has also conveyed the need for improvement in squad performance, with the team having failed to win a trophy this season for the first time in eight years.

As City prepares for the FIFA Club World Cup, the focus will not only be on immediate performance but also on the long-term development of the team and the potential reshaping of the squad, which could see both new arrivals and departures as they look to return to their winning ways.