Pep Guardiola has issued a challenge to Jack Grealish, urging the out-of-favour winger to rediscover his passion for the game and fight for his place in the Manchester City squad. This comes amidst speculation about Grealish's future at the club, fueled by limited playing time and his omission from the squad for the ongoing Club World Cup in the United States.

Guardiola, speaking to reporters in Philadelphia where Manchester City are participating in the Club World Cup, acknowledged Grealish's exceptional talent but admitted that his recent performances haven't met expectations. He emphasized the need for Grealish to recapture the "butterflies in his stomach" – that feeling of excitement and anticipation that drives players to perform at their best.

"Jack is an exceptional player," Guardiola stated. "The only reason he didn't play much last season was, of course, my decisions." He further explained the rationale behind leaving Grealish out of the Club World Cup squad, saying, "We decided it was best that he stays in Manchester and has a place where he can get back to what he was in the year of the treble or all his career at Aston Villa."

Grealish's journey at Manchester City has been a mixed bag since his high-profile transfer from Aston Villa in 2021 for a then-record £100 million. While he played a significant role in City's historic treble-winning season in 2023, his playing time has gradually diminished. In the 2024-25 season, he only started seven Premier League matches, a stark contrast to the expectations surrounding his arrival. In his 20 league appearances, Grealish only managed to score once and provide one assist. His lacklustre form resulted in the England international being omitted from City's Club World Cup squad.

Guardiola acknowledged Grealish's contributions during the treble-winning campaign, stating, "Without him, it would have been more difficult to achieve what we did." However, he also pointed out the reality of the past two seasons, where Grealish has struggled for consistent playing time and form. "The fact is that the last two seasons he has not played much minutes," Guardiola added. "He has incredible respect and love for the team... But he has to get back to playing and having the butterflies in his stomach that he needs to play every three days."

The Manchester City manager didn't explicitly confirm or deny Grealish's departure but hinted that both the player and the club would use the time apart during the Club World Cup to contemplate his future. "I don't know if his future will be in Manchester," Guardiola admitted. "We'll be away now, and we'll see what happens. For now, he's a Manchester City player, and if he has to come back, he will."

Several clubs have been linked with a potential move for Grealish, including Newcastle, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Napoli. There have even been reports suggesting a possible swap deal with Real Madrid for Rodrygo, although the feasibility of such a move remains uncertain. According to Caught Offside sources, City would be willing to entertain offers between €45-50 million (£38-43 million) for Grealish.

Guardiola's remarks can be interpreted as a challenge to Grealish to reignite his passion for the game and prove his worth to the team. The manager's emphasis on rediscovering his love for playing football suggests that he believes Grealish's struggles may be more mental than physical. Whether Grealish can rise to this challenge remains to be seen, but it's clear that his future at Manchester City hangs in the balance.