Jack Grealish 'hurting' after England snub as 'sensitive' Man City star 'needs loving' to fulfil potential following disappointing seasons

Grealish joined City in the summer of 2021 on the back of his best form with Aston Villa. While the England international has shown glimpses of his abilities from time to time, consistency has been lacking and his struggles have seen him drop down the pecking order in Pep Guardiola's City side.

Grealish's lack of form has often been credited to City's play style not suiting his expressive style of play by a number of former players and pundits, and his form has seen him get dropped by Thomas Tuchel for his first two matches as England boss. Premier League legend Shearer has now claimed that the forward is 'hurting' after being dropped by Tuchel, and he likely needs some 'loving' to regain his form.

Speaking to Betfair, Shearer said: "I don't know what goes on inside the walls of Man City. Whether Pep doesn't like his [Grealish] attitude or he doesn't like what he's seeing on the training pitch I don't know. All I do know is that Jack is a really good lad who cares for his family massively, loves his football and loves a good time.

"I couldn't comment on whether he's been treated unfairly or not but what I do see is a really caring, sensitive person who needs loving. Jack is also someone who loves football and if he's not playing then I can appreciate that he hurts. Jack will want the next game to come today because he'll be on a high, he'll be buzzing. I listened to his emotional interview after the game and it's now a really good opportunity for him to stamp his authority on the Man City team again with Haaland out injured.

"Goals do wonders for confidence so he'll be flying now and he'll be so excited for the next game and will want Pep to put him in. You know what it's like when you haven't scored in so long. You get one and then more come along so don't be surprised if he scores again at the weekend as well.

"Jack would've been hurting after not getting a call-up for England. He'll have looked at who was picked, looked at their performances and the goals that have been scored and it will have hurt him but there's only one thing to do as an individual - you have to go out, perform and hopefully for his sake this is the start of a really good run for him."

City are back in action when they take on city rivals Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, April 6. Grealish will be hopeful that he will be in Guardiola's line-up for the clash with Erling Haaland out injured.