Jack Grealish appears close to leaving Manchester City again after being left out of the squad for the Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The winger had come on as a second-half substitute in the Community Shield against Arsenal and in the league opener against Bournemouth, but did not travel with the squad amid transfer interest from Everton and Aston Villa.
Manager confirms decision talks
City have not expected to keep Grealish for the season, but he remains under contract and no agreements have been reached with other clubs as the transfer deadline approaches. Manager Enzo Maresca has said since taking over that it is his duty to coach Grealish while he remains a City player, and it is still possible he stays at the Etihad.
Maresca spoke to Grealish on Thursday, when it was decided he would not be part of the matchday squad for the Palace game as the possibility of him leaving - likely on loan again - rises. "We'll see what happens in the next 48-72 hours," the manager said afterwards.
City cruise without Grealish
City did not miss Grealish despite an inexperienced bench, as Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland both scored twice. Palace started well in front of their own fans, but City controlled the game from that point on.
"I think the performance overall was good. We struggled for the first five or ten mins because we were pressing in the wrong way and then we adjusted something. We were in control. We scored four and could probably could have scored more and we didn't concede chances," Maresca said.
