Manchester City have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their Community Shield clash against Manchester United, with star winger Jack Grealish ruled out due to injury. The setback comes just as Grealish was finding his form during pre-season, making the timing of his absence particularly disappointing for both the player and his team.
Grealish, who was expected to play a key role in the match at Wembley, suffered the injury during a training session according to The Sun just days before the highly anticipated Manchester derby. This unexpected development has left Pep Guardiola without one of his most creative players, further complicating City's preparations for the new season.
The injury is the latest in a series of setbacks for Grealish, who was also left out of Gareth Southgate's squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers earlier this summer. Despite this, the 27-year-old had shown resilience, putting in impressive performances during City's pre-season tour, which earned him praise from Guardiola.
“What I’ve seen so far here, one week in the pre-season on tour, I loved it,” Guardiola said of Grealish's efforts. “He was aggressive with the ball, committed in every session, and his quality was shining through. I know he’ll be a father soon, and we’re so happy for that. All I ask is that he continues to play with the same passion.”
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City’s lineup concerns deepen
Grealish's injury adds to the list of absentees for Manchester City, as Guardiola is also without England internationals Phil Foden, John Stones, and Kyle Walker, along with Spain's Rodri. These missing players have forced Guardiola to adjust his lineup and rely on other squad members to step up.
“We try to give them the best rest as possible,” Guardiola explained when asked about the missing stars. “We would like more time, but it is what it is. We focus on what's next, taking it step by step, and we’ll rotate the players as much as possible to stay fresh.”
The absence of key players like Grealish could impact City’s performance in the Community Shield and raises concerns as they prepare for the start of the Premier League season.
