What next for Jack Grealish after surprise City return in Cardiff?
Jack Grealish returned to Manchester City's side on Sunday when he came on at half-time in the 3-0 Community Shield defeat by Arsenal in Cardiff, having spent last season on loan at Everton and not featuring in City's pre-season.
Grealish's place at City appeared uncertain after his loan at Everton, which was not made permanent, and he had been left out of the squad for the club's tour to Asia earlier this summer while saying he was recovering from an injury. He replaced Jeremy Doku at the break in Cardiff and played 45 minutes on the left wing; it was his first appearance for City since a late substitute outing against Bournemouth in May 2025 and his 158th game for the club overall.
New manager Enzo Maresca assessed Grealish after the match, saying: "Overall, Jack was good," and added: "The ones that are still here, they are going to work every day, and if they deserve it they are going to get minutes." Maresca also noted: "The transfer window is open and we will see what happens."
On the pitch Grealish completed 21 of his 24 passes, delivered a couple of crosses and drew praise from BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Pat Nevin: "Looking at him out there now, he's in good nick," who added: "He has looked good since he's come on." Nevin also said: "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."
City paid £100m to sign Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021 and he played regularly across his first two seasons, including being part of the Treble-winning 2022-23 campaign and featuring in the Champions League final win over Inter Milan. In the season that followed he made 10 Premier League starts with Jeremy Doku taking his place, prompting then-manager Pep Guardiola to say: "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 Grealish started seven league games and was left out of City's Club World Cup squad; the most recent of his 39 England caps came in October 2024.
Grealish's loan at Everton began strongly under David Moyes, earning him his first Premier League player of the month award in August after providing four assists in his opening three league matches, with Moyes saying: "It's a big privilege to be given that accolade and I'm pleased for him because everybody knows he's back again," and adding: "He's come back with the right mindset to produce and he has produced for us. He's made a big difference. It's just the start for Jack." A foot injury in January then ended his season prematurely.
Discussion continues over Grealish's immediate future. Ex-pundit Nevin questioned whether Grealish "is going to be the player to change City and make a difference this season" and suggested the Cardiff cameo was a chance to show suitors he is fit and available. Everton opted against making his loan permanent for City's reported £50m valuation, and with one year remaining on what has been described as a £300,000-a-week contract City are likely to consider lower or loan offers. BBC Radio Merseyside reporter Giulia Bould said: "Grealish is still someone the Toffees would want to sign again, most likely on another loan, but he will need to have recovered from the foot surgery he underwent in January. Grealish has made no secret he loved playing for the Toffees and his social media bio still has Everton as his club so if all parties can agree a deal then I would expect him to be back."
Interest from other clubs has been reported, with BBC Radio WM presenter Daz Hale speaking of a possible return to Aston Villa: "There is a real romance of the return of the prodigal son. You always felt it was written at some point he would come back," and adding: "Whether it is this year or next year, I just think it is written in the stars that he will come back." Several media outlets have also linked Grealish with Atletico Madrid.
The transfer window remains open for another fortnight, leaving Grealish's status unsettled; for now he remains a Manchester City player and Maresca's comments that he will receive minutes if he stays and impresses leave the immediate path for his season dependent on developments before the window closes.
