Pep Guardiola Gets a Break

Jack Grealish is enjoying a footballing resurgence. The English winger, loaned from Manchester City to Everton, has been one of the standout players in the early stages of the season, with a goal and four assists in his first seven matches. But he won’t be on the pitch this Saturday, October 18, when the Toffees visit the Etihad Stadium.

Premier League rules prevent loaned players from facing their parent clubs during the course of their loan. That means Grealish will miss both league encounters and any potential meetings in the FA Cup or Carabao Cup. A relief, no doubt, for Pep Guardiola, who knows better than anyone how dangerous the winger can be when he’s in form.

The “Fear Clause”

This restriction, popularly known as the “Fear Clause”, was designed to prevent conflicts of interest — ensuring that a player still under contract with a club can’t influence a match against it. While some European leagues leave this detail up to individual agreements, in England the rule applies universally to all domestic loans.

It originated in 2004, after Lomana Trésor LuaLua, loaned from Newcastle United to Portsmouth, faced his parent club and scored a dramatic equalizer in the 89th minute. His passionate celebration caused such controversy that the FA and the Premier League decided to update the rules, permanently banning loaned players from facing their parent teams.

A Grealish Reborn

Before this enforced absence, Jack Grealish had been named Premier League Player of the Month for August, confirming his impressive start to the season. His creativity and confidence have flourished at Everton — and from afar, Manchester City can only watch as their player rediscover his best form.

Still, while Guardiola might feel relieved not to face him this weekend, he knows it’s only a matter of time before Grealish returns — either as an opponent… or as one of his own once again.