Jack Grealish's time at Manchester City has been a subject of much discussion, characterized by moments of brilliance interspersed with periods where he seemed to struggle to fully integrate into Pep Guardiola's demanding tactical framework. After a £100 million transfer from Aston Villa in 2021, Grealish arrived with high expectations, hailed as one of the Premier League's finest midfield technicians. While he contributed to Manchester City'sTreble-winning campaign in 2022-23, helping the team secure the Premier League title, FA Cup, and Champions League, his role often felt more constrained compared to the free-flowing performances he delivered at Aston Villa.
Guardiola's tactical system at Manchester City prioritizes team structure and positional discipline, which sometimes clashed with Grealish's natural inclination for individual expression and dribbling. While Guardiola clearly valued Grealish, starting him in crucial matches such as the Champions League final against Inter Milan and the FA Cup final against Manchester United in May 2023, Grealish never quite fully morphed into the "obedient little schoolboy" that some expected under Guardiola's tutelage. Instead, there were glimpses of a player adapting, learning, and contributing in his own way.
However, the subsequent seasons saw a dip in form, with injuries and limited playing time affecting his consistency. In the 2023/24 season, Grealish's Premier League minutes were less than half of the previous season, and he "looked less and less effective when he did play". This culminated in his omission from England's Euro 2024 squad, a decision that reportedly left him "heartbroken".
Now, in a bid to reignite his career, Grealish has embarked on a new chapter with a season-long loan move to Everton for the 2025-26 season. This move presents him with an opportunity to rediscover his form and express himself more freely on the pitch. Everton manager David Moyes has expressed his confidence that Grealish's Premier League experience and technical skills will provide a spark for Everton's attack.
Guardiola himself has praised Grealish's commitment and aggression, particularly during pre-season. After a pre-season friendly against Barcelona, Guardiola said Grealish was "aggressive with the ball" and made "four or five shots". However, Guardiola has also made it clear that Grealish's place in the starting XI depends on his consistency and performance.
Interestingly, even amidst these changes, there were experiments within Manchester City to redefine Grealish's role. In December 2024, due to a "dearth of options and an unprecedented slump in form," Guardiola explored using Grealish as a true central midfielder. Following a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, Guardiola highlighted Grealish's ability to control the game's pace, knowing "when to accelerate and control," suggesting an untapped potential in a more central role.
With Grealish's departure, Manchester City has assigned the number 10 shirt to Rayan Cherki, a French midfielder who joined the club from Lyon. Cherki's elevation to the number 10 shirt signifies the club's faith in his ability to contribute immediately and reflects Guardiola's ongoing efforts to refresh the squad.
As Grealish joins Everton and Cherki steps into a prominent role at Manchester City, both players stand at the cusp of potentially glorious third acts in their careers.
