At the Club World Cup, Guardiola commented on his decision not to take Grealish to the United States. The Spanish coach emphasised that this was not for reasons unrelated to sport: "The only reason he didn't play was me – not his behaviour or anything else."
Grealish remains a "top player," but his competitors were stronger. Guardiola explained: "I only want the best for Jack – for him, his partner, his children, his family. I have never doubted his quality. Without him, we would not have won the treble back then."