Phillips and Grealish excluded from City’s Asia tour
Manchester City have confirmed their 28-man squad for the club’s pre-season tour of East Asia, with both Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish notably absent. The three-match tour includes fixtures against Inter Milan, a K-League All Stars XI, and Atletico Madrid as Enzo Maresca’s side prepares for the 2026/27 campaign.
Kalvin Phillips has been omitted to finalize a loan move to Sheffield United, the Championship club he represented during the second half of last season. The 30-year-old England international is set to return to Bramall Lane in a deal expected to be completed in the coming days.
Jack Grealish’s absence is injury-related. The winger underwent foot surgery in February after fracturing his foot while on loan at Everton, and while he has returned to grass training, he is not yet considered fit enough for a demanding pre-season schedule. Maresca had been keen to include Grealish in the travelling party and a late decision was expected, but the 30-year-old ultimately missed out.
Tour squad decisions reflect shifting priorities
Phil Foden and Gianluigi Donnarumma are among the high-profile players included in the tour squad after sitting out this summer’s World Cup. A host of younger prospects will also travel, including Jeremy Monga, Kaden Braithwaite, Floyd Samba, Jaden Heskey, and Ryan McAidoo.
The absence of both Phillips and Grealish underscores the changing landscape at the Etihad. Maresca, appointed as head coach ahead of the new season, has emphasized the importance of assessing every player before making final decisions on their roles. For Phillips, that assessment appears to have already concluded.
Phillips: A career stalled since £42m move
Kalvin Phillips joined Manchester City from Leeds United in 2022 for a fee of £42 million, signing a six-year contract. The move was seen as a major step forward for a player who had been instrumental in England’s run to the Euro 2020 final. However, his time at City has been marked by persistent injury problems, limited game time, and a series of loan spells that failed to reignite his form.
Since arriving at City, Phillips has made just two Premier League starts. His only appearance for the club last season was a seven-minute substitute outing in the Carabao Cup against Huddersfield Town in September 2025. He has spent time on loan at West Ham United and Ipswich Town in previous seasons, and most recently at Sheffield United, where he made just three appearances and was sent off in a Steel City derby win over Sheffield Wednesday.
Despite his struggles, Phillips still has two years remaining on his City contract, and the loan to Sheffield United is intended to offer the midfielder a platform to rebuild his career. Chris Wilder, the Blades’ manager, has made no secret of his desire to bring Phillips back. Sheffield United are considered among the favourites for promotion from the Championship this season.
Grealish’s recovery continues
Jack Grealish’s situation is different but similarly uncertain. The former Aston Villa captain joined City in 2021 for a British record £100 million and was instrumental in the club’s treble-winning campaign in 2023. Since then, his form has dipped and his game time has become more sporadic. A loan move to Everton earlier this year was intended to revive his confidence, and it appeared to be working — he contributed two goals and six assists in 20 Premier League appearances before the foot fracture cut his season short.
Grealish underwent surgery in January and missed England’s World Cup campaign. He has since returned to training but is still not at full fitness. Maresca expressed interest in taking Grealish on tour and has held talks with the player about his future, but the decision was ultimately made that he would remain in Manchester to continue his rehabilitation.
Broader implications: Maresca reshaping the squad
The absences of Phillips and Grealish signal the start of a significant squad refresh under Maresca. Both players arrived at City with high expectations but have struggled to meet them consistently. Phillips’ impending departure, even if temporary, feels definitive — the midfielder has no long-term future at the Etihad. For Grealish, the door remains slightly ajar, but his exclusion from the tour, even on fitness grounds, adds to the uncertainty.
City’s pre-season tour will be closely watched not only for the performances of established stars like Foden and Donnarumma but also for the youngsters who have been given a chance to impress. Maresca has a reputation for developing young talent, and the inclusion of several academy graduates suggests he is willing to give youth a platform.
The decisions made this summer will shape City’s approach to the new season. With the club aiming to reclaim the Premier League title and compete deep into the Champions League, Maresca needs a squad that is both deep and motivated. Players who are not part of that vision, like Phillips, are being moved on. Those who could still contribute, like Grealish, are being given time to prove their fitness and commitment.
In the broader transfer market, City remain active. While the club has not been heavily linked with major signings this window, the departure of fringe players could free up funds for targeted reinforcements. For now, though, the focus is on the players who are traveling to Asia — and those who are not.
If you’re following other big stories this summer, you might also be interested in reports that Arsenal lead the summer frenzy with Vinicius Jr and Bruno Guimaraes talks heating up. Meanwhile, a separate Tyler Phillips to Start for Marlins as Rosters Shift: Draft Pick Spangler Signs story shows the sports world is full of twists this month.
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