Gabby Agbonlahor has hit out at ‘fake reports’ surrounding the reason Jack Grealish missed Manchester City’s pre-season tour of Asia.
Grealish was a notable omission from the travelling squad, with rumours circulating he was left in England deliberately.
The City forward corrected one outlet’s report that he and teammate Kalvin Phillips had been ‘left out of’ the selection that flew to the Far East.
“Just to let you know I’m still recovering from an injury so I’m not training yet. Haven’t been left out so stop talking poo poo thanks,” Grealish wrote on an Instagram post.
And Agbonlahor has reinforced Grealish’s claims as the pair discussed the latter’s future while on holiday.
When asked about the possibility of returning to Aston Villa on Drive on Monday, Agbonlahor said: “I don’t think so.”
The talkSPORT pundit then elaborated: “I didn’t have a conversation about Villa, I had a conversation about his future.
“There’s been so many fake reports about how he wasn’t called for the (pre-season) tour and he wasn’t wanted, that’s all nonsense.
“He’s not able to train yet, so he’s been out training at Real Mallorca’s training ground, been putting the hard yards in, looking after himself, training hard.
“He just said he’s hungry. If it’s at Manchester City, if it’s another club – I can’t say which one it is – he wants to play football, he wants to get back.”
The Greal Deal
Grealish spent last season on loan with Merseyside outfit Everton, and made a bright start to life at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Indeed, the 30-year-old managed two goals and six assists but his time under David Moyes was cut short due to a foot injury sustained against former side Villa back in January.
2
A potential return to Everton was discussed on Drive, to which Agbonlahor, who had previously defended Grealish, said: “It could be an option, why not?
“David Moyes loves him, he knows the club, and there’s talk about (Iliman) Ndiaye going to Saudi Arabia.
“I think whatever happens, whatever club he joins, if it’s at Man City or he goes back to Everton, or another club, he’s hungry.
“He’s in his last year as well – in your last year, you need to be playing football, you need to be performing.”
“Look, for instance, at Jadon Sancho now, it’s a shame to see (him without a club), he’s 26, I don’t know who he’s training with.”
Agbonlahor’s comments come after new City head coach Enzo Maresca previously admitted he is yet to speak with Grealish.
“I didn’t speak with Jack while I am here. Jack is a City player. When we are back in Manchester, if he is fit he will work with us,” the Italian said.
