Jack Grealish relishing Club World Cup challenge to revitalise Manchester City career | OneFootball

Jack Grealish is looking forward to the newfound, 32-club format of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

The 29-year-old has found minutes hard to come by in his fourth season at the Etihad Stadium, playing a bit-part role for Pep Guardiola whilst grappling with recurring fitness issues and an evident drop-off in form from the historic 2022-23 treble season when he was one of Manchester City’s best players.

Grealish has been heavily linked with a summer exit and Newcastle United are amongst a list of clubs who are believed to hold an interest in the England international, who is running out of time to stake his claim in Guardiola’s lineup.

However, as Manchester City prepare for the final game of the Premier League campaign against Fulham on Sunday, the winger has delivered his verdict on the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup tournament to be played between June and July in the United States.

“I think it’s completely different, now you’re going somewhere with 32 teams,” Grealish said.

“It’s a completely different format (to the previous tournament) but something that I think will be unbelievable if I’m honest.

“It’s something I’ve never heard of before, where you have that many teams in a group stage and then a knockout stage.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to play at the World Cup for England and it was unbelievable. I feel like it’ll be incredible, everyone’s looking forward to it and hopefully we can do well out there.

“I remember when we won in December 2023, we played Fluminense. They were incredible, we ended up winning, but playing against these types of opposition, I’m not saying they see football differently, but it’s a completely different type to the way we play and see here.

“It was good, and obviously to do that again this summer will be a top experience.”

Grealish has barely featured for Manchester City this season and after being excluded from Thomas Tuchel’s first two England squads as Three Lions manager, the former Aston Villa skipper will be ready to make an impression at the Club World Cup ahead of a crossroads summer transfer window.