GREAL AWKWARD
Jack Grealish at centre of club-versus-country row as England call-up leaves Pep Guardiola furious at Lee Carsley
It is not the first time the City boss has fumed with England managers
JACK GREALISH is at the centre of a club-v-country row over his England call-up.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is fuming with the FA and interim manager Lee Carsley for picking the £100million ace — who has not played since October 20 due to a groin injury.
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Three Lions sources insist they were in regular contact with City medics and were assured he was available for the Nations League double-header.
Carsley said Grealish, who misses City’s tea-time trip to Brighton today, returned to training this week — but Guardiola hit back: “It’s his decision.
“It’s a question for the England manager, I’m not involved. They can select who they want.
"All I’d say is the day after Wolves, he was injured — 17 days out and Friday was the first training with the team.
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“He trained 20 minutes. This is the reality. He was in the gym a few minutes, yes, the last two days. But for my team he’s not fit — he cannot play.
“They can select who they want. Jack trained and believes he can help, so I’m not the guy to say you cannot go.
“All I can say is that over two weeks he didn’t train but the people from England believe he can help. So go.”
Guardiola was angry when John Stones played in the March internationals despite fitness fears.
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P34 W 20 D8 L6 Win percentage: 58.82%
Mainz 05 2009-2014
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Borussia Dortmund 2015-2017
P107 W67 D23 L17 Win percentage: 62.62%
Honours: DFB Pokal
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P127 W95 D13 L16 Win percentage: 74.8%
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P100 W60 D24 L16 Win percentage: 60%
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Honours: Bundesliga
GARETH SOUTHGATE
Middlesbrough 2006-2009
P151 W54 D43 Win percentage: 35.76%
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P37 W27 D5 L5 Win percentage: 72.97%
Honours: Toulon tournament
England 2016-2024
P102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%
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Now he is on a collision course with the FA again ahead of next week’s Greece and Republic of Ireland clashes.
Pep is also unimpressed Grealish, 29, wants to go.
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He said: “Have I spoken to him? Yes. He said, ‘I want to go to the national team’. Am I surprised? No.”
Asked if it could help the forward get fit for a busy couple of months, Guardiola said: “Maybe. The manager from the UK will know better.
“Our medical department haven’t told me they spoke with them.”
But FA sources last night insisted there had been dialogue with City about Grealish’s availability before Thursday’s squad announcement.
Guardiola also indicated he will not be signing a new deal in the international break.
The last two times he has extended his stay, he has done so in November.
But Pep said: “I said many times, I won’t talk about it. When it happens, it will happen.”
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