When Jack Grealish left Manchester City to go on loan with Everton for the 2025-26 season, it seemed like Grealish would not play another match for City. The England international had fallen out of favour with Pep Guardiola and his City career had come to its natural end. However, with Enzo Maresca now the City manager, players such as Jack Grealish have been offered a clean slate, or a second chance. Grealish played the entire second half of Manchester City’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Community Shield and if City need another winger, perhaps there is a small chance that Grealish could fulfil that role.
Jack Grealish showed enough against Arsenal that he could be an option for Manchester City.
At halftime of Manchester City’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal, Jack Grealish replaced Jeremy Doku on the left wing. It was a nice moment to see Grealish back on the pitch for Manchester City. Grealish did play a key role in Manchester City’s famous treble-winning season and he is one of the good guys in football. Putting all of that aside, Grealish showed enough that perhaps a role in Enzo Maresca’s squad could exist for him.
Jack Grealish did what he always does on the left wing against Arsenal. He kept the ball well and did allow Enzo Maresca’s side to control possession in the second half. It must be said that Arsenal were happy for City to have possession given they had a 3-0 lead throughout the second half. Grealish played in one good ball from the left and he was lively after replacing Jeremy Doku. Grealish didn’t pull up any trees but if Manchester City want a safe option to play a role on the wing for Enzo Maresca’s squad perhaps Grealish could be exactly that.
The expectation is that Jack Grealish will leave City this summer, but Enzo Maresca has offered hope that may not occur.
Having said all of the above, it would be a major surprise if Jack Grealish were a Manchester City player for next season. The expectation is that Grealish will find another club for the 2026-27 season. Which club that could be remains to be seen.
However, Enzo Maresca did offer a lifeline for Jack Grealish when he spoke after City’s loss to Arsenal. Maresca said he was pleased with Grealish’s performance and if a player, such as Jack Grealish, work hard, they will be given opportunities to play. The Manchester City manager said when asked about Jack Grealish, in quotes relayed by the Mirror: “Jack was inside when we were 2-0 down so the game already became complicated after that, but overall I think Jack was good. The ones that are still here and want to work every day and if they deserve they’re going to get minutes. At the moment the transfer window is open and we will see what happens.”
It was a good moment to see Jack Grealish get on the pitch for Manchester City yesterday. It would be a surprise of Grealish remained a City player by the time the transfer window closes. However, if City cannot find a winger to sign before the transfer window closes, perhaps Grealish could play a role for Enzo Maresca. He showed enough yesterday to suggest as much and Maresca hasn’t emphatically slammed that door shut.