Jack Grealish made a somewhat unexpected return to the Manchester City team on Sunday - so what could his future hold? Grealish's career with the club seemed finished when he spent last season on loan at Everton, but they did not make the move permanent. The 30-year-old, who did not feature for City in pre-season, came on at half-time in their 3-0 Community Shield defeat by Arsenal in Cardiff.
"Overall, Jack was good," said new boss Enzo Maresca afterwards. "The ones that are still here, they are going to work every day, and if they deserve it they are going to get minutes. "The transfer window is open and we will see what happens." Grealish had been left out of the squad for the team's tour to Asia earlier this summer, but he said he was recovering from an injury.
Could Grealish now grasp a City lifeline - or will he be on the move? Arsenal cruise to Community Shield win against disappointing Man City Odegaard's importance, Anderson and Foden struggle - how the players rated Grealish replaced Jeremy Doku at the break, with City 2-0 down, and played 45 minutes on the left wing. It was his first appearance for the club since a late substitute appearance against Bournemouth in May 2025, and his 158th game for City overall.
He put in a couple of crosses as well as completing 21 of his 24 passes. "Looking at him out there now, he's in good nick," said BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Pat Nevin. "He's not going beyond players, but he's trying to create space and he's actually put a couple of very good crosses in." Manchester City paid £100m to sign Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021.
He played regularly in his first two seasons - and helped City win the Treble in 2022-23, including playing in the Champions League final win over Inter Milan. But in the following season he made just 10 starts in the Premier League, with Jeremy Doku taking his place in the team. Grealish hinted at off-field problems, while City's then boss Pep Guardiola said: "He is the same player, he has the same manager and the way we play has not changed.
"It's just the way he has performed. That's the difference." In 2024-25 he fell out of favour even more and started just seven league games. He was then left out of their Club World Cup squad.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
