Jack Grealish’s journey at Manchester City has been a tale of dazzling highs and frustrating lows, a rollercoaster that’s left fans and pundits alike debating one burning question: does the £100 million man truly have the freedom to shine under Pep Guardiola’s meticulous reign? The 29-year-old winger, once the electrifying heartbeat of Aston Villa, arrived at the Etihad in 2021 with a British-record transfer fee and sky-high expectations. Yet, as the 2025 season unfolds, his role in Guardiola’s finely tuned machine remains a puzzle—one that’s sparking heated discussions across the football world.
Grealish’s early days at City hinted at a perfect match. His flair, his swagger, his ability to dance past defenders—it was the stuff of dreams for a club chasing endless silverware. In the 2022-23 season, he proved his worth, playing a pivotal role in City’s historic treble, racking up five goals and 11 assists across 50 appearances. “I think Grealish has a certain freedom—in the final third, he can do what he likes,” one former Premier League striker observed, capturing the sense that Grealish had found a sweet spot in Guardiola’s system. Back then, he was the street-smart playmaker, weaving magic on the left flank, a key cog in a squad that conquered the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. But fast forward to today, and that version of Grealish feels like a distant memory.
This season, the England international’s star has dimmed. With just six Premier League starts and a goal drought stretching over a year, Grealish has often found himself warming the bench, watching as younger talents like Savinho and Jeremy Doku take center stage. Guardiola’s squad is a constellation of stars, and competition is fierce—yet for a player of Grealish’s caliber, the sidelines feel like an ill-fitting suit. “It is all about the structure and the state of the players,” a former City midfielder remarked, pointing to the tactical rigidity that defines Guardiola’s philosophy. Players like Doku and Kevin De Bruyne have been granted a “license” to roam and create, their special talents unleashed in ways Grealish once enjoyed. So why does it feel like his wings have been clipped?
Guardiola’s system is a paradox—beautifully orchestrated yet unforgivingly precise. It’s a world where creativity must bow to discipline, where every pass and position is part of a grand design. At Villa, Grealish was the maestro, free to roam and dictate play with a maverick’s flair. At City, he’s been molded into a more restrained role, often hugging the touchline rather than cutting inside to orchestrate chaos. “I know Jack likes to play in the middle, he’s a guy who used to play freely,” Guardiola himself admitted recently, acknowledging the player’s natural instincts. He’s praised Grealish’s ability to “control the ball” and “give an extra pass” between the lines, yet the manager’s selections tell a different story. Savinho, for instance, started ahead of Grealish in a recent 4-1 thrashing of West Ham, leaving the Englishman with a mere six-minute cameo.
The stats paint a stark picture: Grealish has logged just 600 Premier League minutes this season—barely six full matches—while his off-field headlines, from pub visits to late-night outings, have sometimes overshadowed his on-pitch struggles. Injuries haven’t helped, derailing his rhythm and giving Guardiola reason to lean on others. “Two weeks ago, he was injured and he needs rhythm,” the City boss noted, a hint of frustration in his tone. Yet, there’s no denying Guardiola still believes in him. “I don’t have any doubt about the quality of Jack,” he’s insisted, recalling the treble-winning Grealish he wants back. The challenge, it seems, is on Grealish to fight for it—to prove he can reclaim that spark in a system that demands both freedom and conformity.
For Grealish, the stakes are personal too. Left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad and snubbed again for upcoming World Cup qualifiers, his international dreams hinge on rediscovering his form at club level. “It’s so good to have a dream to play in the World Cup and Euros with his national team,” Guardiola said, a subtle nudge toward the 2026 horizon. As City gear up for a summer squad reset—with whispers of potential exits swirling—Grealish’s future hangs in the balance. Does he have the freedom he craves in Guardiola’s side? Perhaps not the unbridled liberty of his Villa days, but within the final third, there’s still a glimmer of that old magic. The real question is whether he can seize it—or if the street fighter in him will seek it elsewhere.