Jack Grealish has already proven he can respond to England snub with key ally in his corner

Jack Grealish has been here before.

This is a player who has had his fair share of setbacks and criticism. Being cut from Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad, while perhaps half expected, will be a hammer blow to the Manchester City man despite a season of struggle at the Etihad.

The 28-year-old made only 10 league starts amid an injury-hit campaign as the form which saw him play a leading role in the historic 2023 treble tailed off. Injuries and a break-in at his home didn't help.

Pep Guardiola has not held back criticism in public, suggesting at various points that Grealish lacked the level in training he showed last season when he was so integral to City's success. The City manager has also questioned his fitness.

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But Grealish has credit in the bank with City and his manager. Speaking at the end of the season, Guardiola said: “He will be back. He’s struggled this season and Jeremy (Doku) has made an incredible step forward as everyone has seen in the last games. But Jack will be back at the level of last season, I’m pretty sure.”

That level was incredibly high. He was one of the first name's on a star studded team-sheet and put to bed any criticism of his early City career when he took time to bed in following his £100m switch from Aston Villa. The knives were sharpened during that first year but Grealish, who wasn't the first slow starter under Guardiola, responded with the best campaign of his career.

The player himself knows he's not been at his best in the past 12 months and praised Guardiola for his role behind the scenes.

"At times this season I have struggled a little bit with myself and he's been there for me all the time," he said in April. "I owe him a lot. He's a great person and the best manager to ever exist.

"It's been a difficult season for me personally after the highs of last year. I spoke to the manager a lot and he's been so good with me. I owe him a little bit and want to repay him now with my performances and the team as well."

Grealish has been tentatively linked with a summer move, something that looks highly unlikely, and he will return to City with a point to prove at both club and international level. Missing out on a major tournament is a bitter pill to swallow, but it might prove the catalyst to the latest Grealish renaissance.