Jack Grealish made an unexpected return to Manchester City on Sunday, reopening the question about what the future holds for him at the club. His career appeared to be over after spending the last season on loan at Everton, but the Toffees did not make the loan permanent.
The 30-year-old player, who did not participate in City's pre-season, came on at half-time in the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield played in Cardiff. "On the whole, Jack was good," said new manager Enzo Maresca after the match. "Those who stay here 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 City's Asia tour at the start of summer, although he indicated he was recovering from an injury. In Cardiff he replaced Jeremy Doku at half-time with City 2-0 down, playing 45 minutes on the left wing. It was his first appearance since a brief substitute outing against Bournemouth in May 2025, his 158th appearance in total for the club.
City paid 100 million pounds for Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021. He played regularly in his first two seasons and helped City win the treble in 2022-23, including the Champions League final against Inter Milan. However, in the following season he made only 10 Premier League starts, with Jeremy Doku taking his place. In 2024-25 he fell further out of favour, starting only seven league matches before being excluded from the Club World Cup squad.
Many believed that Pep Guardiola's style of play had extinguished the magic from the talented winger's game. A loan to Everton last season started spectacularly under David Moyes. Grealish won his first Premier League player of the month award in August, after four assists in his first three league matches. "It's a great privilege to be given that recognition and I'm proud of it because everyone knows he's back," Moyes said. However, Grealish did not maintain that level and a serious foot injury in January cut his season short.
Grealish has the opportunity for a fresh start under new manager Maresca at City. The Italian indicated after Sunday's match that Grealish will get minutes if he stays and impresses. But it remains likely he will end up leaving. Everton could be a destination, although the Toffees refused to make the loan permanent over City's rumoured 50 million pound valuation this summer. With a year left on his contract worth 300,000 pounds a week and likely to be a substitute, City would probably be open to lower offers or new loans.
He could even return to Aston Villa, his boyhood club that is competing in the Champions League this season. Or a move abroad could appeal to him: several media outlets report that Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone is considering him. The window remains open for another fortnight. Grealish must be watching closely what path his career will take.
