A squad announcement for a major international tournament is often more revealing for the names that are omitted than for those that are included. As Manchester City and Chelsea finalized their traveling parties for the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, their decisions sent a series of brutal and unequivocal messages about the future direction of both clubs. Several high-profile, expensive acquisitions, including Manchester City’s Jack Grealish and a quartet of Chelsea players led by Raheem Sterling, have been conspicuously left out.
These snubs are not merely a reflection of current form; they are a definitive statement from management. They represent the final chapter for some players at their current clubs and offer a fascinating insight into the ruthless, forward-thinking nature of squad building at the absolute elite level of world football.
The Final Cut: Grealish’s Manchester City Story Reaches Its End
Perhaps the most high-profile omission from any squad is that of Jack Grealish. His exclusion from Manchester City’s 27-man group effectively marks the end of his tumultuous tenure at the club. Once the most expensive British footballer in history following his £100 million transfer, Grealish’s journey at the Etihad has been a complex one. While he played a key, disciplined role in the historic treble-winning season of 2022/23, his subsequent campaigns have been marred by injuries, off-field issues, and a clear struggle to maintain a regular place in Pep Guardiola’s demanding system.
Having started just seven league games in the 2024/25 season, the writing has been on the wall for some time. This final snub for a major international tournament is the clearest signal yet that his future lies elsewhere. The decision is further contextualized by City’s recent transfer activity. The club has invested heavily in new, dynamic attacking midfielders like Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders, both of whom have been included in the Club World Cup squad. This demonstrates a clear strategic pivot; the club has already acquired his replacements. For Grealish, a player who needs consistent game time to revive his international career, the message is unmistakable: his chapter at Manchester City is closed, and the search for a new club must now begin in earnest.
Chelsea’s £179m Exiles: The High Cost of a Flawed Strategy
While Grealish’s situation is a singular, high-profile case, Chelsea’s list of omissions tells a broader story about the costly consequences of a flawed transfer strategy. An expensive quartet of senior players—Raheem Sterling, João Félix, Axel Disasi, and Ben Chilwell—have all been left out of the traveling squad, a move that publicly confirms their status as surplus to requirements. Combined, these four players represent a staggering transfer outlay of approximately £179 million, yet none appear to have a long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
Each player’s story highlights a different aspect of the club’s recent recruitment struggles. Sterling, a £50m signing from Manchester City, spent last season on loan at Arsenal with minimal impact. Félix, a £45m permanent signing, was also loaned out to AC Milan after failing to consistently deliver. Disasi and Chilwell, both significant investments, similarly spent the end of the season away from the club. Their collective exclusion is a stark admission of a series of expensive missteps. These players now represent a significant financial challenge for Chelsea. Their high wages make permanent sales difficult, forcing the club into a cycle of loans. By leaving them out of a prestigious global tournament, Chelsea is effectively placing a “for sale” sign on some of its most expensive assets, hoping to attract suitors and cut its losses on a recruitment policy that has delivered a poor return on investment.
A Tale of Two Paths: The Significance of Key Inclusions
The story told by the squad lists is one of contrasting fortunes. While big names are being cast aside, the inclusion of other players provides a clear indication of each club’s priorities. For Manchester City, the presence of defender John Stones is a significant boost. Despite not having played since February due to a thigh injury, his inclusion signals his importance to Guardiola’s plans and the club’s confidence in his recovery. Similarly, the return of midfield linchpin Rodri from a serious ACL injury will be a welcome sight for City fans. His presence in the squad underscores the team’s desire to get him back to match fitness as quickly as possible.
Both clubs have also demonstrated a clear focus on the future by immediately integrating their newest signings. City’s inclusion of Cherki, Reijnders, and Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Chelsea’s selection of striker Liam Delap, show an intent to embed these new players into the team culture without delay. This sends a powerful message throughout the dressing room: the future is now, and places in the team will be awarded based on the manager’s current vision, not on past reputations or transfer fees.
The Manager’s Verdict: What These Squads Reveal About the Future
Ultimately, a squad selection for a major tournament is a manager’s most honest and brutal verdict on his players. It is a line in the sand, separating those who are part of the long-term vision from those who are not. The decisions made by Pep Guardiola and his counterpart at Chelsea are a clear illustration of the unsentimental nature of elite football management. They reveal a ruthless focus on building for the future, a willingness to admit past mistakes, and a commitment to integrating new talent immediately.
The exclusion of players who collectively cost over a quarter of a billion pounds demonstrates that reputation and price tags offer no protection. At this level, what matters is a player’s ability to contribute to the manager’s current and future plans. For the likes of Grealish, Sterling, and Félix, this public snub is a difficult but unambiguous moment of clarity. For their clubs, it is a decisive and necessary step in the perpetual cycle of squad evolution, as they trim the fat from their rosters and sharpen their focus for the challenges that lie ahead.
